Are clouded leopards really leopards?

The answer is no and I’ll explain why. The classification of the species is decided by experts and it is still not fully settled. Early on, up to 200 years ago, scientists got the classifications wrong or a least it has been adjusted and improved. Perhaps at one time they thought that clouded leopards were leopards but not today. Thanks to DNA analysis the science of taxonomy it is more accurate nowadays.

In fact my research tells me that based on morphological characteristics (how they are made) and how they sound the clouded leopard is in the same group as the leopard. However molecular studies tell us that the clouded leopard appeared much earlier than the Panthera cats. It is believed that the clouded leopard diverged about 8.66 million years ago. The Panthera group diverged from other cat species about 11.3 million years ago.

Panthera lineage
Showing clouded leopard’s place in the Panthera lineage. Illustration by PoC.
Two useful tags. Click either to see the articles: Toxic to cats | Dangers to cats

In fact, I think the question is asking if clouded leopards are a subspecies of the common leopard. The answer to that question is No. The clouded leopard is a different species to the leopard. Both the leopard and clouded leopard evolved in the Panthera lineage as shown in the illustration above. As can be seen the clouded leopard was the first to diverge from the ancestral line followed by the snow leopard.

Although the clouded leopard is in the same evolutionary line as the leopard, the genus in which it is classified (Neofelis) is generally placed at the base of the Panthera group but not included in the genus itself.

Conclusion: Are clouded leopards really leopards? No, is the answer.

Clouded leopard is arboreal and can hang upside down like a monkey

Clouded leopards seen at 3,500 meters above sea level

It is reported that the elusive clouded leopard has been spotted in the Langtang National Park, in Nepal, on the ...
Clouded leopard

Are clouded leopards dangerous?

The clouded leopard weights about 18 kg (35 pounds) but it varies between 11 and 23 kg. So, they are ...
Clouded leopard nibbles Patrick Ayree's ear

Clouded leopard climbs all over Patrick Aryee and nibbles his ear

This is a super charming encounter between the biologist and presenter Patrick Aryee (great job by the way) and a ...
Caracal kittens

Pictures of two clouded leopard kittens and two caracal kittens

Two excellent photographs of two siblings of two different species of medium-sized wild cat: caracal and clouded leopard ...
Clouded leopard purring

Can clouded leopards purr?

This video shows a clouded leopard purring in my opinion although it is a typically rough edged (harder and deeper) ...
Picture of baby clouded leopards

Baby Clouded Leopards (picture)

They are Columbus Zoo's precious 1-month-old clouded leopards kittens; their latest arrivals. Their coats are magnificent. The adult clouded leopard ...
Clouded leopard lap cat

Clouded Leopard Lap Cat

This is a cute cat picture with a difference because the cat is a clouded leopard who looks adoringly into ...
Where the clouded leopard lives

Where Do Clouded Leopards Live?

This map shows you where clouded leopards live. It is in the form a globe so you can get a ...
Useful tag. Click to see the articles: Cat behavior

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Note: sources for news articles are carefully selected but the news is often not independently verified.
Useful links
Anxiety - reduce it
FULL Maine Coon guide - lots of pages
Children and cats - important
Scroll to Top