The Striking Leopard Trivia Quiz

Answer: False

A recent discovery has led to the distinction of at least two types of clouded leopards. From www.dailymail.co.uk "Long thought to be identical to the clouded leopards living on mainland South East Asia, genetic analysis has shown that the Bornean big cat is in fact a separate species. Scientists have counted at least 40 key differences in the DNA of the two felines - making the two species of clouded leopard almost as different as a lion is to a tiger."
The differences range from canine length, to how the spots are, to the fur of the Bornean clouded leopard being darker.

Answer: They all are possible

The black leopard, commonly called a "black panther," is a melanistic leopard or clouded leopard. Melanistic refers to " the condition in which an unusually high concentration of melanin occurs in the skin, plumage, or pelage of an animal." (From www.dictionary.com) Several species of animals have melanistic members, including mule deer and jaguars. According to www.messybeast.com, a leopard can be melanistic, albino or red. "Other leopard mutants include red (erythristic) leopards with chocolate brown markings on a reddish background.

The colour resembles rich mahogany. Buff leopards with orange rosettes have occurred; this could result from a combination of dilution and erythrism, in the same way that cream tabby cats are dilute forms of red tabbies."

Answer: Asia

The clouded leopard is found in several countries in south-east Asia, including Thailand and Cambodia, and also in parts of the Himalayas such as Bhutan and Nepal. Of all the leopards, it is the one which is most at home in trees and has been known to lie in wait in a tree ready to pounce on unsuspecting prey below.

Answer: Yes

It's amazing, but the melanistic leopard still has its spots-which proves that a leopard can't change its spots! The spots appear even blacker than the surrounding fur. In certain light, they stand out remarkably.

Answer: Clouded leopard

The leopard is the largest of the three, weighing from 90-150 pounds. The snow leopard is second on the list, ranging from 90-115 pounds. The clouded leopard is the smallest of the three, weighing only 22-45 pounds.

Answer: True

According to www.bigcatrescue "The tree climbing talents of the clouded rival that of the Margay, running down trees head-first and climbing branches horizontally with its back towards the ground, and even hangs upside down by its hind legs."
From National Geographic: "Clouded leopards have short, powerful legs equipped with rotating rear ankles that allow them to safely downclimb in a headfirst posture"

Answer: Jaguar

Due to the similar color and spotting, the leopard and jaguar are sometimes confused. "This large cat is sometimes confused in appearance with the South American Jaguar - the leopard though is less stocky and unlike the jaguar, its rosette markings are generally smaller and have no internal spots."
From: From http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/agarman/leopard.htm

Answer: Clouded leopard

The clouded leopard's fangs are comparable to the sabre-tooth cat. They can reach 2 inches-which is as long as some tiger's canines, although they are 1/10 of the size of a tiger. According to www.dailymail.co.uk "The island's most fearsome predator, the clouded leopard has the longest canine teeth of any feline, with fully-grown cats boasting fangs that are up to two-inches long. Only the long-extinct sabre-tooth tiger had longer canine teeth for its body size."

Answer: Snow leopard

The snow leopard makes its home in the alpine meadows (and rocky mountainside) of Tibet and China. The pale cream fur, and smokey gray spots help it to hide among the snow and rocks. The clouded leopard is more at home in the rainforests of Nepal and Indochina. The leopard is at home in almost any environment. When in the rainforest, it's the usually the largest predator.

Answer: Yes

Much like the Bengal tiger, the clouded leopard can swim. According to www.bigcatrescue.com, the leopard "is also a very adept swimmer." On those hot, rainforest days, I can't say I blame them!