The clouded leopard (
Neofelis nebulosa) is a distinct species from the
leopard. They are extremely
rare animals found in
Southeast Asia, living in and out of
trees in the
rain forest. So little is known about them that it isn't really even sure whether they are
solitary like most
felines.
They weigh 35 to 50 pounds, smaller than leopards, and are identified by their unusual fur pattern -- brown blotches with black edges on a golden background. They are thought to leap onto prey from tree branches and will eat nearly any animal; their jaws have the widest space behind the canine teeth of any feline and proportionally the longest canine teeth, so their bite is very strong. They are endangered due to habitat destruction, and being hunted for their fur; they also don't breed well in captivity (the couple will tear each other to bits unless they've known each other since they were very young).