Principles of Ecology
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CLOUDED LEOPARD
AND THE BORNEO
Moving images - Clouded leopard(GIPHY, 2016).
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Overveiw: Population of species
Population of species refers to a group of organisms that are of the same species and are in close proximity to allow them to interbreed.
What is a species?
Species are different kinds of organisms which are found living on earth. To define them they are a group of interbreeding organisms which do not ordinarily breed with members of other groups. If a species interbreeds freely with others, it would no longer be known as a distinctive organism (Physical Geography, 2009).
What is a population?
A population comprises all the individuals of given species within a certain area or region at one time. Its significance is more than that of a number of individuals because not all of them are identical. These populations contain genetic variation (previously mentioned in Chapter 1) within themselves and between other populations (Physical Geography, 2009).
When discussing populations of species, there are several areas which must be put into consideration. These include; the location, habitats, food sources and also seasonal or climate change. These are all contributing factors that reason to why different species live within different ecosystems.
The growth rates of a population can be affected by abiotic and biotic facts such as temperature having ‘profound’ effects on a population’s size. The temporal fluctuations within abiotic conditions is a main cause to population sizes whilst biotic factors including predators can directly affect an individual as well as population (McGinley, 2015).
Their name is from the large cloud-like spots on their body, they are a medium-sized cats with their distinctive coat that is grayish or yellowish. The spots are generally dark brown with a black outline and provides an excellent camouflage for their forest habitat. Clouded leopards are carnivores
and eat various prey (Defenders, 2013).
The diet usually consists of birds, monkeys, deers, pigs and young buffalo.
Although they are known as clouded leopards, the cloudies are not directly related to the normal leopards.
Until 2006, there was thought to be a single clouded leopard species. However, recent genetic research has shown that there are two types of distinct species. The cats on mainland Asia and Taiwan kept the traditional species name (Neofelis nebulosa) while the cats from Borneo and Sumatra took the name the Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi) (Clouded Leopard, 2009).
Clouded leopards are believed to be solitary, except when breeding or accompanied by cubs
Clouded Leopard
Your Shot – National Geographic/Nature, Animals
(Kim Pace, 2012).
Habitat
Throughout its range, the clouded leopard spends most of the time in the tropical evergreen rainforests but can also be found in dry tropical forests and mangrove swamps. They have been found at relatively high altitudes within the Himalayas also (WWF, 2015).
Adaptations of the Clouded Leopard
These adaptations have enabled the Clouded Leopards to evolve better in order to survive within their environment.
Most cats are good climbers; however, the clouded leopard is near the top of its class. These big cats can hang upside down beneath large branches by using their large paws and sharp claws to secure a good grip onto them.
They have short, powerful legs equipped with rotating rear ankles that allow them to safely down climb in a headfirst posture—much like a common squirrel. They have extremely sharp eyesight that allows them to judge distances well and also use their long tails to maintain balance, just like all other species of cats (National Geographic, 2015).
As previously stated, clouded leopards have adapted to use trees in various ways because they are able to climb on horizontal branches in an inverted position which allows them to directly drop onto their prey from above which means that they are at an extreme advantage for food sources and their prey becomes vulnerable and an easy target.
They have also independently evolved teeth and jaws that are remarkably similar to the primitive members of the extinct group of saber-toothed cats (TornotoZoo, 2016)
Clouded Leopard in the Borneo
The Borneo is rich in diversity, with 15,000 flowering plants, 420 bird species, and 221 terrestrial mammals.
Some of its most rare and famous creatures include the orangutan, the pygmy forest elephant, and the Sumatran rhino. However, the unique plants and animals of Borneo are increasingly under threat from changes to the island’s forest structure overall. According to WWF-Worldwide Fund for Nature, only half of Borneo’s original forest cover is still remaining and is on a downfall from 75%. In addition to Borneo’s habitat loss, the wildlife is suffering considerably at the hands of the illegal wildlife trade. Threatened species including the clouded leopards are sold for pets, meat, and/or traditional medicines all over the world (Clouded Leopard, 2016).