# Clouded Leopard (*Neofelis nebulosa*)

> Clouded leopards are medium-sized Asian cats named for cloud-like spots on their coat, with the longest canine teeth relative to body size among living cats. They climb head-first down tree trunks, hunt in tropical forests from the Himalayas to Southeast Asia, and are listed Vulnerable.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Vulnerable
- **Range:** Tropical and subtropical forests from Nepal and northeastern India through Indochina to southern China, Taiwan, and Hainan.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/clouded-leopard/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Carnivora
- **Family:** Felidae
- **Genus:** Neofelis

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Neofelis nebulosa |
| Diet | Carnivore — deer, monkeys, birds, and porcupines |
| Habitat | Tropical and subtropical forests of South and Southeast Asia |
| Lifespan | 11–15 years in the wild |
| Weight | 11–23 kg (24–51 lb); males larger |
| Top speed | Agile climber; short ground sprints to ambush prey |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable (IUCN) |

## Arboreal mastery

Clouded leopards have flexible ankles that rotate backward, allowing them to descend trees head-first and hang from branches. They hunt both on the ground and in the canopy, taking prey from muntjac deer to monkeys and birds.

## Distinctive appearance

Large cloud-shaped blotches on a tawny or grey coat provide camouflage in dappled forest light. Their short legs and long tail aid balance in trees. Canine teeth are proportionally as long as those of big cats much larger in body size.

## Range and subspecies

Neofelis nebulosa ranges from Nepal and northeastern India through Indochina to southern China. A separate species, the Sunda clouded leopard, occurs on Borneo and Sumatra. Forest loss and poaching for fur and bones threaten both.

## Conservation

Listed Vulnerable, clouded leopards need large contiguous forest blocks. Camera-trap surveys suggest they are rarer and more patchily distributed than once thought. Protected areas and anti-poaching patrols are critical to their survival.

## Frequently asked questions

### Is a clouded leopard a true leopard?

No. Clouded leopards belong to the genus Neofelis, separate from Panthera leopards, though they occupy similar forest niches in Asia.

### How big is a clouded leopard?

Roughly twice the size of a domestic cat — males up to about 23 kg. They are much smaller than tigers or leopards.

### Are clouded leopards endangered?

They are Vulnerable, threatened by deforestation and illegal hunting. Exact wild numbers are uncertain due to their secretive habits.

### Can clouded leopards climb trees?

Yes — they are among the most arboreal big-cat relatives, climbing and hunting extensively in the canopy.

### Where do clouded leopards live?

Humid forests from the foothills of the Himalayas through Southeast Asia to Taiwan and Hainan, where suitable forest remains.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Neofelis nebulosa.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Neofelis%20nebulosa&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Neofelis nebulosa. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Neofelis_nebulosa/)
- [Wikipedia — Clouded Leopard.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clouded_leopard)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/clouded-leopard/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.