7 Fascinating Facts About Clouded Leopards

One of the most elusive and enigmatic big cats on earth is the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa). Its fur is covered in large, greyish blotches, stripes, and spots that resemble clouds. It has eyes that are wide and enchanting, and a preternatural ability to climb trees. There are several big cat species on Earth, but none are quite like the clouded leopard. There are plenty of fascinating facts about this secretive cat.

Native to Southeast Asia, clouded leopards have seen their numbers in the wild dwindle to an alarming degree due to deforestation. This has made the care of clouded leopards in captivity all the more important. A-Z-Animals got a chance to talk with Mark Wanner, Brookfield Zoo Chicago‘s Associate Vice President of Animal Care and Conservation and Interim Director of Carnivore/Small Mammal Care and Conservation. He explained more about these fascinating big cats, including the male (Kuso) and female (River) in their care, and how the Brookfield Zoo supports their development. In honor of Clouded Leopard Day, let’s learn more about these fascinating felines.

Big (On the Smaller Side)

They may have somewhat similar markings and appearance, but clouded leopards are not “true” leopards. Though all cats belong to the Felidae family, clouded leopards are a separate wild cat species, distinct from leopards as well as snow leopards.

What’s more, clouded leopards are technically big cats but on the smaller side of the spectrum. Typically, clouded leopards range in length between 27 and 42.5 inches, with 24 to 36-inch tails. As for Brookfield’s clouded leopards, “the [female’s] last weight was 12.1 kilogram, so that equals about 26-27 pounds. The males are larger; our male’s weight is about twice that,” says Wanner.

Varied Vocalizations

Clouded leopards have plenty of fascinating characteristics, not least of which are their vocalization abilities. Besides their dexterity with climbing, clouded leopards have unique facial bone structures that allow them to make more sounds than most big cats. While lions roar, and domestic cats purr, clouded leopards can only purr.

“They do make some obvious vocalizations, but they are more like chirps and squeaks and other sounds like that,” says Wanner.

Captivity Care

Clouded leopards are known for their elusive, almost hermetic dispositions, and the Brookfield Zoo adapts its enclosures to suit the leopards’ needs. Zookeepers stay mostly hands-off with the cats unless it’s time for medical checkups. Surprisingly, the clouded leopards will approach the zookeepers if they need help. “They might come up and present a hip for a hand injection, or they might allow us to inspect their ears or face without any aggression,” says Wanner. “That’s all through positive reinforcement training.”

In the wild, clouded leopards are like phantoms, but in captivity, they can be surprisingly social. “Our female [River] is especially keyed into our guests and will sometimes be more interested in one person over the others,” says Wanner. “She might follow them along the front of the habitat, interacting in a way that creates a special moment for our guests.”

Maternal Strategies

Transitioning any animal from the wild to captivity requires a detailed understanding of how to effectively manage the animal’s well-being and ensure its survival. Clouded leopard care comes with its own unique challenges and strategies. According to the cat’s SSP (Species Survival Plan) put out by the American Zoological Association (AZA), hand-rearing individuals is one way to reduce infant mortality.

Until a species survival plan was in place, institutions like zoos were seeing only a 40% survival rate for infant clouded leopards. “For some reason, female clouded leopards, whether its a natural history trait or if it comes from being in human care, tend to kill or choose not to raise their young,” Wanner explains. “We found out that by pulling the young and raising them, they have an over 90% survival rate.”

Enclosure Enrichment

Creatures in captivity require plenty of enrichment and stimulation, and clouded leopards are no exception. Luckily, the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago provides plenty of enrichment for clouded leopards in their specific area; it’s arguably the perfect enclosure for these elusive but fascinating cats. “It’s called the Clouded Leopard Rainforest,” says Wanner. “It’s a space that has clouded leopards, binturongs, Prevost’s squirrels, and currently, lemurs.”

As Wanner explains, the specific clouded leopard area is a darker, deeper habitat with running water in the front and “lots of rock work, branching, and high spaces for the cats to get to.” Beyond that, Brookfield Zoo provides daily enrichment for its clouded leopards in the form of toys, activities, and other stimulation. “The welfare and care of the animals is our highest priority,” says Wanner.

Climbing Prowess

Perhaps the most fascinating thing about clouded leopards is their preternatural climbing ability. All cats can climb, to be sure, but clouded leopards truly excel in this department. Its ulnae and radius bones are not completely fused, allowing for a remarkable range of motion when it comes to climbing. Additionally, they have shorter limbs compared to other big cats, and their hind limbs are longer than their front limbs, which allows for impressive jumping capabilities.

“I have always considered clouded leopards like the monkeys of the cat world,” says Wanner, “They have a unique ability to kind of walk backwards down trees, or the way they can actually grab bamboo with their paws. They are truly unique animals.”

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