Leopards are normally found in a wide range of habitats, excluding until recently, Borneo and Sumatra. A new species has been discovered that originally looked quite similar to, and was thought to be the same species as, the clouded leopard of Southeast Asia. However, the new leopard has its own distinct characteristics with 40 differences showing up in DNA tests. Lions and leopards only have 56 differences, showing that it is indeed important to classify the two clouded leopards separately.
Eurekalert reports that the differences are that, “The new clouded leopard species is generally darker than the mainland species, has small cloud markings, many distinct spots within the cloud markings, grayer fur, and a double dorsal stripe. Clouded leopards from the mainland have large clouds on their skin with fewer, often faint, spots within the cloud markings, and they are lighter in color, with a tendency toward tawny-colored fur and a partial double dorsal stripe.”
The funny thing is that we’ve had skins from these two different species in museums for a very long time, but the differences simply weren’t noticed until recently. This particular clouded leopard is Borneo’s largest predator, with the Sumatran Tiger being the largest in Sumatra.
Clouded leopards live in the forested habitats of Borneo, and they have just passed a declaration promising to conserve this area of rainforest. It is estimated that up to 11,000 clouded leopards may inhabit Borneo and up to 7,000 in Sumatra. There have been 52 different animal species discovered in these areas just in the last year.
The clouded leopard is truly a fantastic animal! It is considered medium sized for a wild cat, but some can get as large as a small panther. Their canine teeth are about 2” long, the longest of any cat, and it is an excellent hunter with most of its prey being tree animals. PRNewsWire says that they live on “monkeys, mouse deer, barking deer, young bearded pigs and sambar deer,” and the occasional bird or lizard.
Panda.org has some great video and pictures of this beautiful creature so that you can see his cloud-like markings, as does BBCNews. Their markings are dark cloud-shaped circles of black and shades of gray on a yellow to brown coat with many small dark spots interspersed. They have a cobby build, massive paws, and a very long tail for balance. BBC says that this elusive cat is perfectly adapted to its environment. It’s greatest threats to existence, of course, are humans. Hopefully the pledge of conservation by the Borneo and Sumatran governments will preserve the habit needed for this creature’s survival.
Source of most reported information: World Wildlife Fund
