Neofelis – Clouded leo’
Named in 1867, “New cats” are two rare cats of Southeast Asia’s rainforests
These are mid-sized cats characterized by an elongated skull, a rather plane forehead, large nasals, and a very long lower canine with a sharp cutting edge. Both species of this genus have already been declared Vulnerable by the IUCN, a sign of grave concern as the genus only contains these two species in total.
These cats are incredibly talented climbers, and captive clouded leopards have been seen to climb down vertical trees head first. Moreover, they can also hang on to tree branches with their hind paws bent around them. Deforestation is the biggest threat for both Neofelis species. They are also threatened by poaching for wildlife trade, and their skins and teeth are used for decoration and clothing.
Species in this genus
Clouded leopard
They can hang upside down from branches with their rear feet and climb trees almost like a monkey
Sunda clouded leopard
Due to their fur being darker with a smaller cloud pattern than clouded leopards, they were classified as a new species in 2006