Found in the Himalayas and the forests of Southeast Asia, Clouded leopards are rare, secretive and short in stature making them the “smallest of the world’s biggest cats”. One of the best climbers of the cat family, Clouded leopards have specialized paw padding and rotatable rear ankles which enable them to hang from the underside of branches and even climb headfirst down the trees. 

These elusive creatures are now listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN red list. Their numbers are on a decline due to habitat loss and poaching. Clouded leopards are hunted for their beautiful cloud-like patterned pelt, meat, bones, claws and also for their famous 2-inch-long canines. These canines are comparable to that of the extinct saber-toothed cats! In fact, the Sunda clouded leopard currently holds the record for the longest and most saber-like teeth with respect to their body size in the animal kingdom.