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Clouded Leopard


Clouded Leopard
Photo Information
Copyright: Manyee Desandies (manyee) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3067 W: 231 N: 6168] (21078)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-11-21
Categories: Mammals
Camera: Canon Powershot S3 IS
Exposure: f/3.5, 1/125 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-02-15 3:34
Viewed: 950
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Clouded Leopard
Neofelis nebulosa

Few people have seen a clouded leopard, either in its wild habitat in Southeast Asia or in a zoo. Officially recorded as a species in 1821, the clouded leopard remains just as mysterious today as it was nearly 200 years ago. Most of what we know about these cats comes from observing them in zoos. Named for its cloud-like spots, recent genetic studies have shown that clouded leopards are a separate species of cat and not just a “type” of leopard. Cloudeds are most closely related to snow leopards and are now in the same taxonomic subfamily as tigers, lions, jaguars, and true leopard species.

Clouded leopards are an interesting species. They are larger than small cat species and smaller than the large cats! Cloudeds can purr like the small cats, but they also have a low, moaning roar, a soft chuffle, a growl, a hiss, and meows as part of their calls. The pupils of the clouded leopards’ eyes are different from any other cats’ pupils: they never get fully round like big cats’ pupils do, yet they never shrink to vertical slits like the small cats’ pupils do. Instead, they stay in an oblong shape. And then there’s that amazing tail—the longest, in relation to body size, of any cat's tail.

A clouded leopard’s jaws can open wider than any other cat’s, and its tooth development is most like that of the extinct saber-toothed tiger. A clouded’s 2-inch-long (5-centimeter-long) canine teeth are the same size as those of a tiger, even though tigers are 10 times larger in body size! These rain forest cats ambush their prey from the treetops, landing on their target’s back and delivering one killing bite. Despite their small size, cloudeds have adapted to take down large hoofed stock with this method. It is believed they hunt on the ground as well. They are thought to eat a variety of birds, squirrels, monkeys, and wild pigs. The San Diego Zoo’s clouded leopards are fed a zoo carnivore diet and large knuckle bones to gnaw on. They are often given a special popsicle treat: chunks of papaya frozen in ice blocks!

This photo was taken at the San Diego Zoo.

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ellis49, Evelynn, scottevers7, livios, glazzaro has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Mana Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1899 W: 36 N: 5579] (18518)
  • [2007-02-15 7:22]

Hi Manyee,
Wonderful close-up shot. Superb sharpness. Very well composed. The leopard has also bowed to you. Hats off.
TFS.
Sumon

  • Great 
  • viv Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 297 W: 3 N: 653] (3307)
  • [2007-02-15 7:30]

Hi Manyee,
Great portrait of this leopard, good on the details. Very sharp.
I like your POV.
Vivian

Thanks for introducing me to a new species. At least you captured hm is some good light, even if he wouldn't look up. I do like the pink tongue. Can you see the chromatic aberration on the left whiskers and ears?...or is it just my monitor?

TFS
Evelynn : )

Hi Manyee,
A first for me, I have never laid eyes on one of these before. Such beautiful and detailed fur. Nice sharp detail. Great notes.
Scott

  • Great 
  • livios Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2156 W: 322 N: 4258] (16906)
  • [2007-02-16 20:39]

Manyee, thanks for introducing this one to me - I had never heard about him.

A great close-up to show us the details of the guy.

Excellent note too.

Hi Mayee,
The picture is fine in details and sharp.
Nice colours and well composed.
Well done.

  • Great 
  • arfer Gold Star Critiquer [C: 2731 W: 0 N: 0] (0)
  • [2007-02-18 23:35]

Hello Manyee

A very informative posting.I had never heard of this leopard before,so thanks for showing it to us.I guess they don't like having their picture taken either because he is sticking his tongue out at you.Very good detail in the fur.TFS

Rob

Well taken, good write up! Nice work.

Greg

Hi Manyee,
Very neat image, sharp, and nice details.
Superb shot.

Ben Lakitan

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