New Leopard Species Announced - Seldom

by நவீன் Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:21 pm

It turns out a leopard really can change its spots—or at least its
species. New DNA tests show that Borneo's top predator is one of a kind.

The clouded leopard of the Southeast Asian islands of Borneo and
Sumatra is its own unique species, according to genetic test results
announced yesterday by WWF, the international conservation organization
(Indonesia map showing Borneo and Sumatra). Until now the cat was
believed to be of the same species as the mainland clouded leopard.

The differences aren't all in the genes, either—the two species have different fur patterns and skin coloration.

"It's incredible that no one has ever noticed these differences," said
Andrew Kitchener, mammal and bird curator for National Museums
Scotland, in a statement.

Weighing in at about 50 pounds (23 kilograms), the Bornean clouded
leopard—as it's being called—is the largest predator on Borneo and is
second only to the Sumatran tiger on Sumatra. A hunter of lizards,
monkeys, and small deer, the big cat has proportionately the longest
canine teeth of any cat.

by நவீன் Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:22 pm

New Leopard Species Announced - Seldom Cloudleo002corel

Many of the estimated 8,000 to 18,000 Bornean
clouded leopards in existence inhabit a Kansas-size, mountainous rain
forest called the Heart of Borneo.

"The fact that Borneo's top predator is now considered a separate
species," said WWF's Adam Tomasek in a statement, "further emphasizes
the uniqueness of the island and the importance of conserving the Heart
of Borneo."

Somewhere between the small cats, which can
purr, and the big cats, which can roar, are the clouded leopards that
make their home in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia.

This beautiful Asian cat, named for its spotted coat, is seldom seen in
the wild, and its habits remain a bit mysterious. Clouded leopards roam
the hunting grounds of Asia from the rain forests of Indonesia to the
foothills of the Nepali Himalayas. Though little information is known
about their population sizes, they are considered a vulnerable species.

by நவீன் Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:22 pm

New Leopard Species Announced - Seldom Cloudleo007corel

Most cats are good climbers, but the clouded
leopard is near the top of its class. These big cats can even hang
upside down beneath large branches, using their large paws and sharp
claws to secure a good grip. Clouded leopards have short, powerful legs
equipped with rotating rear ankles that allow them to safely downclimb
in a headfirst posture—much like a common squirrel. Sharp eyesight
helps them judge distances well, and the cats use their long tails to
maintain balance.

Though clouded leopards are great climbers, scientists believe that
they do most of their hunting on the ground, feasting on deer, pigs,
monkeys, and smaller fare such as squirrels or birds. They are aided in
their hunting by the largest canine teeth (proportionate to body size)
of any wild cat.

Scientists are not sure exactly how clouded leopards act in the wild.
They are probably solitary animals, like most cats. Females give birth
to a litter of one to five cubs every year, and the young leopards
remain dependent upon their mother for about ten months.

by நவீன் Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:23 pm

New Leopard Species Announced - Seldom Cloudleo008cdoggett

Scientific Name: Neofelis nebulosa
Size: Head and body 2-3.6 feet (60-110cm); tail length 2-3 feet (60-90cm)
Weight: 33-43 pounds (15-20kg)
Distribution: India, S. China, Nepal, Burma, Indochina to Sumatra and Borneo, and Taiwan
Habitat: In dense tropical forests at altitudes up to 6,500 feet (2,000m)
Diet: Small deer, young buffalo, pigs, monkeys, squirrels, porcupines, birds, and reptiles
Reproduction: After a gestation period of 12-13 weeks, female gives birth to 1-5 cubs
Longevity: from 11 to 17 years in captivity
Population: Estimated at below 10,000

by நவீன் Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:23 pm

by நவீன் Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:26 pm

by திவா Wed Jul 21, 2010 1:57 pm

looking aggressive than other species மகிழ்ச்சி

by ரமீஸ் Wed Jul 21, 2010 2:07 pm

by சபீர் Wed Jul 21, 2010 2:15 pm

உங்கள் பதிவில் கூறப்பட்ட விளக்கம் நன்றாக உள்ளது இருந்தபோதிலும் முடிந்தவரை ஆங்கித்தில் பதிவிடுவதை தவிர்ப்பது நல்லது சகோதரரே இது உங்களுக்கு மட்டுமல்ல அனைத்து உறவுகளிடமும் அன்பாய் வேண்டிக்கொள்கின்றேன்.