The Elusive Clouded Leopard: A vanishing beauty of the wild
Adorned with shimmering feathers and vivid hues, the Himalayan Monal captivates both birdwatchers and photographers alike. Known as the ‘jewel of the mountains’, it flourishes in the cool forests of high altitudes
The Elusive Clouded Leopard: The clouded leopard is found in Southeast Asia, and it is famous for its elusive nature, beautiful coat designs, and arboreal lifestyle. (Image: Canva)
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Beautiful Cloud-Like Spots: Its distinctive cloud-shaped rosettes are responsible for its name, as they offer ideal camouflage in dense jungles. (Image: Canva)
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Tree-Acrobat: Clouded leopards are brilliant climbers. They can hang upside down from branches and climb down trees headfirst. (Image: Canva)
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Not a True Leopard: In spite of its common name, it is not closely related to actual leopards. It is in its own individual genus Neofelis. (Image: Canva)
Bite Force Relative to Size: This cat boasts the biggest canine teeth in proportion to skull size of any wild cat—designed for crushing bites. (Image: Canva)
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Elusive and Solitary: Seldom spotted in the wild, clouded leopards are solitary and primarily active at twilight and night. (Image: Canva)
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Endangered and Vulnerable: Their population is declining owing to habitat loss, poaching, and deforestation. They're currently considered vulnerable. (Image: Canva)
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Lives in Forested Realms: They live in the Himalayan foothills, Southeast Asia, and island nations such as Borneo and Sumatra. (Image: Canva)
Mysterious Reproduction Habits: Much of their breeding behaviour is unknown, contributing to their mysterious reputation. (Image: Canva)
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Symbol of Forest Conservation: Saving clouded leopards is saving ancient forests and the rich biodiversity they harbor. (Image: Canva)
Sheetal Kumari is a skilled sub-editor and content creator with expertise in digital news, multimedia storytelling, and social media content. With a strong grasp of topics like science, politics, and many more, she crafts compelling narratives, transforming complex topics and trending stories into engaging, accessible reads across various media platforms.
