Research overview: clouded leopard arboreal locomotion

Clouded leopards are among the most accomplished climbers of all cats, and this overview reviews the adaptations behind their arboreal skill. Like the margay, they possess highly flexible ankle joints that allow descent head-first and gripping of branches, and they combine this with a very long tail for balance, short, powerful limbs, and large paws. Observations record clouded leopards climbing down trunks head-first, hanging upside down from branches, and moving with ease through the canopy. These abilities suit hunting and resting in trees and traversing dense forest. Documenting this locomotion clarifies the species reliance on structurally complex forest and helps explain why both clouded leopard species are so sensitive to canopy loss and forest fragmentation.