Clouded Leopard

Neofelis nebulosa

RANGE Mainland Asia and Taiwan

HABITAT Lowland tropical forests

DIET Birds, squirrels, monkeys, deer, and pigs

The clouded leopard is one of the best climbers in the cat family. The clouded leopard has the longest canine teeth in relation to body size of all living cats.

A clouded leopard's grip is so firm that it can climb upside down underneath tree branches and hang from branches with its hind feet.

Its flexible ankle joints can rotate backward, allowing the cat to climb down tree trunks headfirst, just like a squirrel.

There is little known about the behavior or status of these shy, elusive cats. Their range once covered most of Southeast Asia, but it has shrunk due to habitat destruction and human poaching. Despite laws protecting these cats, they are highly endangered in some areas.