Clouded leopard  (Neofelis nebulosa)

The clouded leopard is named after the distinctive 'clouds' on its coat - ellipses partially edged in black, with the insides a darker colour than the background colour of the pelt (4). Previously considered to be a single species, the clouded leopard has recently been split into two distinct species, the clouded leopard, Neofelis nebulosa, and Diard’s clouded leopard, Neofelis diardi (5) (6). Aside from genetic and anatomical differences (6), this more widely distributed clouded leopard species can be recognised by its lighter, tawny fur and larger cloud-like markings (5). The limbs and underbelly are marked with large black ovals, and the back of the neck is conspicuously marked with two black bars (7). The thickly-furred tail is exceptionally long, often equivalent to the body length, and is boldly marked with black rings (4). Well adapted to forest life, the clouded leopard has stout legs and broad paws which make it excellent at climbing trees and creeping through thick forest (2). Perhaps the most remarkable feature of clouded leopards is that, in proportion to their body size, they possess the largest canines of all the cats (8). Indeed, although they are considered to be of an unrelated evolutionary lineage, clouded leopards have independently evolved teeth and jaws that are remarkably similar to the primitive members of the extinct group of sabretoothed cats, such as the 8-10 million year-old, puma-sized Paramachairodus from Europe and Asia (9).