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Multiple views of the Clouded Leopard, which shows the beautiful patterns on the coat (one of the reasons it’s on the endangered species list). These cats are not as big as most of the “big cats”. They’re about the size of a German Shepherd, give or take.. but they do have the LARGEST canines (some measured at 9") of all the big cats in comparison to their body size.

Because the Clouded Leopard’s habits make it difficult to study, reliable estimates of its population do not exist. Habitat loss due to widespread deforestation and hunting for use in Chinese medicinal preparations are thought to be causing populations of the Clouded Leopard to decline. Only six Clouded Leopards have ever been radio collared and their territorial movements monitored and recorded by scientists using radio telemetry. All of these cats were studied within Thailand. Almost all that is known of the Clouded Leopard today comes from studies of the cats in captivity. Apart from anecdotal accounts very little is known of the Clouded Leopard’s natural history, ecology and behaviour in the wild throughout its range.

CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, lists the Clouded Leopard as an Appendix I species. This means that the Clouded Leopard is among the most endangered of all species. CITES prohibits international trade of Appendix I species except for singularly important reasons such as scientific research. The United States also lists the Clouded Leopard under the Endangered Species Act, further prohibiting trade in the animals or any parts or products made from them. In the countries of its native range, hunting of the Clouded Leopard is prohibited, however these bans are poorly enforced. (info from Wikipedia)

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