by Lisa Piper

Created on: July 21, 2010   Last Updated: July 22, 2010

The Bornean Clouded Leopard (neofelis diardi) is a modern day saber tooth cat. These felines have canine teeth that grow up to 2 inches in length, which is the same size as the canine teeth of tigers. What makes the length of this specie's teeth so remarkable is the Clouded Leopard, averages 50 pounds in weight, and is ten times smaller than the tiger. At this point in time the Bornean Clouded Leopard is endangered and organizations are fighting to ensure that the cats don’t suffer the same fate as the saber tooth tiger.

The Bornean Clouded Leopard is found on the islands of Borneo, Sumatra, and Batu. There are Clouded Leopards (neofelis nebulosa) living on the eastern side of Asia, but scientists discovered that the species found on the islands were different from those found on the mainland. In 2006 the World Wildlife Fund announced the Bornean Clouded Leopard as a separate species because of these differences.

The US National Cancer Institute conducted tests between both types of Clouded Leopards and found at least 40 differences in their DNA. Without the tests, there are many differences in their appearance and behavior. The Bornean Clouded Leopard has darker fur and smaller cloud like markings than that of the Clouded Leopards found on the mainland. It has larger and sharper canines and a double stripe on the back of its neck. Though both species of Clouded Leopard are excellent at climbing trees, the Bornean Clouded Leopards spend much of their time on the ground while those found on the mainland spend the majority of their time in trees.

There is an estimated 8,000 to 18,000 Bornean Clouded Leopards surviving on the islands currently. Their numbers are dwindling due to illegal hunting and the logging and rubber industries. There are many factors working against this species, but there is still hope. The World Wildlife Fund is working to save the Heart of Borneo from deforestation by signing a historic declaration document. This document will conserve 220,000 square kilometers of rainforest on the islands. There is not a captive breeding program in place for the Bornean clouded leopard, however, the Defenders of Wildlife proposed the Great Cats and Rare Canids Act to help the species. The Bornean Clouded Leopard is listed on the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and on the IUCN Red List which gives this cat international protection.

Bornean Clouded Leopards are modern day saber tooth tigers and are a separate species as the Clouded Leopards found on the mainland of Asia. They are very unique, but are on the endangered species list because of actions taken by humans like illegal hunting and deforestation. If everyone does their part, we will have the Bornean Clouded Leopard around for many years to come.

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