SUNDA CLOUDED LEOPARDS
Sunda clouded leopards (Neofelis diardi) are commonly referred to Sundaland clouded leopards, Bornean clouded leopards, Sunda Islands clouded leopards and Enkuli clouded leopard. They were once regarded as a subspecies of clouded leopard. Endemic to the islands of Sumatra and Borneo they were designated in 2006. Before this. Before this Sunda clouded leopards were classified as a subspecies of clouded leopards. [Source: Megan Shersby, Live Science, December 9, 2023]
Sunda clouded leopards were declared a new species because of significant differences from mainland clouded leopards. It was determined that they had 41 fixed mitochondrial nucleotide differences and non-overlapping allele sizes in eight of 18 microsatellite loci shared between the two species. This is equivalent to the number of differences between lions and tigers. Scientists have also declared two sub-species of Sunda clouded leopards. Neofelis diardi borneensis is found exclusively on Bornea, whereas Neofelis diardi diardi is found exclusively on Sumatra. [Source: Corey Hancock, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]
The Sunda clouded leopard is Sumatra’s and Borneo's largest predator. It and the regular clouded leopard have the longest canine teeth relative to its size of any cat, and can grow as large as a small panther. Population estimates for Sunda clouded leopards vary from 5,000 to 11,000 in Borneo and 3,000 to 7,000 in Sumatra. By one estimate there are to be around 700 in Sabah in Malaysia. They may be found on Batu, a smaller island close to Sumatra. Borneo's and Sumatra’s rain forests, are threatened by logging and are believed to hold many more undiscovered species, the WWF said.
Sunda clouded leopards are believed to have diverged from mainland clouded leopards approximately 1.5 million years ago due to geographic barriers. Fossils of clouded leopards have been found on the island of Java. The presence of Sunda clouded leopards on the Malay Peninsula has not been confirmed.
See Separate Article: CLOUDED LEOPARD: CHARACTERISTICS, BEHAVIOR, HABITAT factsanddetails.com
Sunda Clouded Leopard Habitat and Where They are Found
Sunda clouded leopards are primarily forest-dwellers, however, they have been observed in other habitats as well.They are most abundant in hilly areas on Sumatra, and have been observed in the lowland rain forests of Borneo below 1500 meters (4920 feet). Evidence suggests that they occupy low-elevation habitats due to the absence of large predators such as tigers. They are often sighted on the periphery of logged forests and close to human civilizations, likely due to extensive habitat loss occurring throughout its geographic range.
They are highly arboreal (live mainly in trees), and are particularly fond of trees overhanging ridges or cliffs. In areas containing tigers, a known predator of Sunda clouded leopards, they rarely descend to the ground and are thought to travel through the canopy. They appear to be more arboreal on the island of Sumatra than in other areas of their geographic range, possibly due to the presence of tigers. Despite their preference for trees they are occasionally spotted alongside logging roads.
Residing mainly in trees the Sunderland clouded leopards is rarely seem and few of them are in captivity. In 2010 one was filmed for the first time, AFP reported: The leopard, a healthy-looking animal a metre long (3 feet) and weighing about 40 kilos (90 pounds) was caught on video at night at the Dermakot Forest Reserve in Malaysian Borneo's Sabah state. "What surprised us was that while clouded leopards are very elusive cats, this one was not scared at all," said Azlan Mohamed, a field scientist with University Sabah Malaysia. "Despite our powerful spot lights and the roar of our vehicle's engine, it walked around our vehicle calmly," he told AFP. "It is rare to see the big cat in the wild. These cats are usually shy of humans, it was by chance we caught it on video." [Source: AFP, February 16, 2010]
Differences Between Sunda Clouded Leopards and Mainland Clouded Leopard
The cloud leopards of Borneo and Sumatra are slightly darker than mainland species and have smaller and different-shaped cloud-like markings. In 1823, a zoologist described them as a separate species but later the designation was changed to a subspecies, In the later 2000s, DNA analysis found that DNA of clouded leopards from Borneo-Sumatra are as different from mainland clouded leopards as that of lions and tigers and this the Borneo-Sumatra clouded leopards was declared a new species: the Sunda cloud leopard.
The World Wildlife Fund said American scientists compared the DNA of the clouded leopard with that of its mainland cousin and determined the two populations diverged some 1.4 million years ago. "Genetic research results clearly indicate that the clouded leopard of Borneo should be considered a separate species," WWF quoted Dr. Stephen O'Brien of the U.S. National Cancer Institute, which carried out the tests, as saying. [Source: AP, March 15, 2007[
Andrew Kitchener, a Scottish scientist who led a study of the markings of the Borneo cloud leopard, told the Times of London that the Borneo leopard has smaller cloud-shaped markings than the mainland cat, a double stripe along the back instead of a single one, more spots within each cloud and a darker coloration. “The moment we started comparing the skins, it was clear we were comparing two species.”
Sunda Clouded Leopard Characteristics
Sunda clouded leopards are about the size of medium-sized dogs. They range in weight from 15 to 30 kilograms (33 to 66 pounds) and range in length from 1.15 to two meters (45.3 to 79 inches). Head and body length ranges from 60 to 110 centimeters, tail length ranges from 55 to 91 centimeters long. Sexual Dimorphism (differences between males and females) is present: Males are larger than females. [Source: Corey Hancock, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]
According to Animal Diversity Web: Sunda clouded leopards have large spots along its entire body which resemble clouds. Their spots are darker and larger than the mainland clouded leopard, and the coat is darker than that of their mainland counterpart. The spots on their coat are outlined in black and the inside is darker than their primary coat color. They have two distinct black bars on the back of their necks, as well as large black ovals on the
venter. The exceptionally long tail, which helps with balance while traveling in the canopy, is covered in thick fur and has a number of dark black rings along its length. They have short legs and broad paws, which make it exceptional at climbing trees, as well as moving silently through dense forests. The hind feet have very flexible joints, which allow them to descend from the canopy head first. Their flexible joints also enables them to hang from a branch using only their hind feet while using their forefeet to capture prey. Sunda clouded leopards have exceptionally large canine teeth, which can be up to five centimeters long. In porportion to their body size, they have the largest canines of any felid. The morphology of their jaws and teeth are similar to those of extinct saber-toothed cats.
Sunda Clouded Leopard Food and Eating Behavior
Sunda clouded leopards are carnivores (mainly eat meat or animal parts) and mostly eat terrestrial and arboreal vertebrates. Animal foods include birds, mammals, fish. [Source: Corey Hancock, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]
Sunda clouded leopards regularly feed on sambar deer, barking deer, mouse deer, bearded pig, Palm civet, gray leaf monkey, fish, birds and porcupines. They have been observed preying upon proboscis monkeys as well; specifically going after infants and juvenile females.
Sunda clouded leopards are ambush predators and attack prey from the canopy. They have been known to remove the limbs of their prey and bring them into trees for protection against leeches and to relax while feeding. /=\
Sunda Clouded Leopard Behavior
Sunda clouded leopards are arboreal (live mainly in trees), scansorial (able to or good at climbing), diurnal (active during the daytime), nocturnal (active at night), motile (move around as opposed to being stationary) and solitary. [Source: Corey Hancock, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]
There is little information available regarding the average home range size of Sunda clouded leopards. A single males was photographed numerous times throughout a 45 square kilometers range; however, the average home range size of this species is thought to be larger and much larger than that of mainland clouded leopards. An additional study located the same individual numerous times throughout a 112 square kilometers range. They appear to use logging roads as boundaries, which are openly and frequently crossed.
Otherwise information about the general behavior of Sunda clouded leopards is limited. It is believed that they are solitary animals, like many other large cats, except when breeding or accompanied by cubs. They were once believed to be completely nocturnal, however recent evidence suggests that they are also active during the day.
Sunda clouded leopards sense using vision, touch, sound and chemicals usually detected with smell. They communicate with chemicals usually detected by smelling. They also leave scent marks produced by special glands and placed so others can smell and taste them. They are thought to demarcate territorial bounderies with urine.
Sunda Clouded Leopard Mating, Reproduction and Offspring
Sunda clouded leopards is thought to be seasonally monogamous and iteroparous, which means that offspring are produced in groups such as litters multiple times in successive annual or seasonal cycles. Sunda clouded leopards breed once a year. Breeding activity occurs year-round but peaks from December through March. [Source: Corey Hancock, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]
There is little information available regarding breeding behavior in Sunda clouded leopards, and all available information was gathered by observing captive individuals. They are believed to exhibit similar breeding behaviors as mainland clouded leopards. Captive breeding has been mostly unsuccessful due to aggression between mates, which occasionally results in the death of the female. If introduced at a young age, aggression is not as pronounced and has allowed for more successful breeding.
The gestation period ranges from 85 to 95 days, with independence occurring on average at 10 months. The number of offspring ranges from one to five, with the average number being two. On average males and females reach sexual or reproductive maturity at two years. Females are able to produce a litter every year. There is little information available regarding parental care but most is believed to be done by females.
Sunda Clouded Leopards, Humans and Conservation
On the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Sunda clouded leopards are listed as Vulnerable. In CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild) they are in Appendix I, which lists species that are the most endangered among CITES-listed animals and plants. [Source: Corey Hancock, Animal Diversity Web (ADW) /=]
Sunda clouded leopards are illegally hunted for their coats and various body parts are used in traditional medicine. Sunda clouded leopards sometimes prey on livestock from villages surrounded by vast forest in Sumatra and Borneo. There are no records of Sunda clouded leopards attacking humans. The main natural predators of Sunda clouded leopards are perhaps tigers and leopard. When resting Sunda clouded leopards remain in the canopy, presumably to avoid tigers. They are very well camouflaged, which likely helps reduce risk of being prey upon.
Major threats include rapid and extensive deforestation for agricultural expansion, especially for palm oil and settlements. Rapid deforestation to establish oil-palm plantations is a major road block to the longterm persistence of this species. Deforestation laws are rarely enforced and even wildlife sanctuaries and national forests have been somewhat deforested since 1970. Deforestation not only decreases the amount of available habitat for this species, but reduces available habitat for potential prey as well. Additional threats include illegal hunting and accidental trapping. Both subspecies — the N. borneensis and N. leopards diardi — are classified as endangered on the IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species. Sunda clouded leopards occur in a number of protected areas throughout its geographic range.
Proposed cladograms for Panthera; The upper one is based on two studies published in 2006 and 2009; the lower one is based on studies published in 2010 and 2011
Image Sources: Wikimedia Commons
Text Sources: Animal Diversity Web animaldiversity.org ; National Geographic, Live Science, Natural History magazine, David Attenborough books, New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Smithsonian magazine, Discover magazine, The New Yorker, Time, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP, Lonely Planet Guides, Wikipedia, The Guardian, Top Secret Animal Attack Files website and various books and other publications.
Last updated January 2025