Indonesian clouded leopard, Sundaland clouded leopard, Enkuli clouded leopard, Diard's clouded leopard, Diard's cat
The Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi) is a medium-sized wild cat native to Borneo and Sumatra. In 2006, it was classified as a species, distinct from the Clouded leopard in mainland Southeast Asia.
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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DiurnalDiurnal animals are active during the daytime, with a period of sleeping or other inactivity at night. The timing of activity by an animal depends ...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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ArborealArboreal locomotion is the locomotion of animals in trees. In habitats in which trees are present, animals have evolved to move in them. Some anima...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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PredatorPredators are animals that kill and eat other organisms, their prey. Predators may actively search for or pursue prey or wait for it, often conceal...
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AltricialAltricial animals are those species whose newly hatched or born young are relatively immobile. They lack hair or down, are not able to obtain food ...
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CursorialA cursorial organism is one that is adapted specifically to run. An animal can be considered cursorial if it has the ability to run fast (e.g. chee...
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ScansorialScansorial animals are those that are adapted to or specialized for climbing. Many animals climb not only in tress but also in other habitats, such...
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ViviparousAmong animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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Generally solitaryGenerally solitary animals are those animals that spend their time separately but will gather at foraging areas or sleep in the same location or sh...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withThe Sunda clouded leopard is an overall grayish-yellow or gray hue. It has a double midline on the back and is marked with small irregular cloud-like patterns on the shoulders. These cloud markings have frequent spots inside and form two or more rows that are arranged vertically from the back on the flanks. The Sunda clouded leopard has a stocky build and its canine teeth are 2 in (5.1 cm) long, which, in proportion to the skull length, are longer than those of any other living cat. Its tail can grow to be as long as its body, aiding balance.
Sunda clouded leopards are restricted to the islands of Borneo and Sumatra. In Borneo, they live in the lowland rainforests, and in logged forests. In Sumatra, they prefer hilly, montane areas. In Sumatra, clouded leopards were recorded in Kerinci Seblat, Gunung Leuser, and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Parks.
Sunda clouded leopards are very secretive and their habits are largely unknown. It is assumed that they are generally solitary and nocturnal. However, in areas where there are no larger cats, clouded leopards are more active during the day. They hunt mainly on the ground and use their climbing skills to hide from dangers.
Sunda clouded leopards are carnivores. Their diet includes deer, birds, squirrels, monkeys, wild pigs, and porcupines.
Sunda clouded leopards may breed year-round, however, the peak usually takes place from December through March. The female gives birth to a litter of 1-5 cubs after the gestation period that lasts about 85-95 days. Baby clouded leopards are born helpless. Their eyes are closed and they have no teeth. The young are usually weaned and become independent from their mother at the age of 10 months. Reproductive maturity is reached when they are 2 years old.
Sunda clouded leopards being strongly arboreal are forest-dependent are increasingly threatened by habitat destruction following deforestation in Indonesia as well as in Malaysia. The population of Sunda clouded leopards in Sumatra and Borneo has been estimated to decrease due to forest loss, forest conversion, illegal logging, encroachment, and possibly hunting. In Borneo, forest fires pose an additional threat, particularly in Kaltim and in the Sebangau National Park. There have also been reports of poaching of Sunda clouded leopards in Brunei's Belait District where locals are selling their pelts at a lucrative price.
According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of the Sunda clouded leopard is around 4,500 mature individuals, of which around 3,800 individuals occur in Borneo and as few as 730 individuals remain in Sumatra. Currently, this species is classified as Vulnerable (VU) on the IUCN Red List, and its numbers today are decreasing.