Clouded Leopards

Thursday, December 29, 2011

 
  
The Life of Animals | Clouded Leopards | Clouded leopards have a tan or Tawny coats, and are distinctively marked with large, irregularly-shaped, dark-edged ellipses the which are said to be shaped like clouds. The Clouded Leopard was confusing to Scientists for a long time Because of its appearance and skeleton. The average Clouded leopards typically weighs the between 15 and 23 kilograms (33 and 51 lb), and has a shoulder height of 25 to 40 centimetres (9.8 to 16 in.) Females have a head-body length varying from 68 to 94 centimetres (27 to 37 in), with a 61 to 82 centimetres (24 to 32 in) tail, while the males are larger at 81 to 108 centimetres (32 to 43 in) with a 74 to 91 centimetres (29 to 36 in) tail Clouded leopards have a heavy build and, proportionately, The Longest canine teeth of any living felid-of 2 inches (5.1 cm), about the same as a tiger's.



The background color of Clouded leopard fur ranges from yellow-brown to dark gray, with paler underparts. There are black spots on the head, underparts, and legs, and short black stripes on the neck; the Backs of the ears are also black, and there are black rings on the tail. A few melanistic Clouded leopards have been reported from Borneo, but this color phase is uncommon. Might Be As expected from the fact some of its prey lives in trees, the Clouded Leopard is an excellent climber.


In captivity, the Clouded Leopard routinely hangs by its Hind legs using its long tail for balance, and runs head-first down tree trunks. Little is known about its behavior in the wild, but it is assumed from this behavior is That a favored hunting tactic is to drop on prey from the trees Clouded leopards are only found in Southeast Asia, ranging from Nepal, northeast India, Bangladesh and the eastern Himalayas through southern China as far north as Wuyi Shan, to western Malaysia and Indochina In Assamese, Clouded leopards have been observed in forests but have not been recorded in protected areas.

Unlike adults, the kittens' spots are "solid"-completely dark rather than dark rings. Clouded leopards coat attain the adult pattern at around six months, and Probably Become an independent after around ten months. Adults in captivity have lived as long as 17 years.