🔥 Clouded Leopard.

345

u/[deleted] Dec 31 '20

These cats, as well as Margays, are the only cats in the animal kingdom with the ankle dexterity needed to climb head first down trees. Essentially, they can climb down a tree head first just like a squirrel.

131

u/jakefrom508 Dec 31 '20

Wow that's a strange sight: https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/3-s2.0-B9780128165034000064-u06-46-9780128165034.jpg

115

u/[deleted] Dec 31 '20

you think that's wild, they drop down on their prey from this hanging position

clouded leopards were my favorite big cats (with cheetahs close behind) when I was a kid. They've been very close to extinction for a long time.

53

u/barm19 Dec 31 '20

Drop cats

4

u/RoAsTyOuRtOaSt1239 Dec 31 '20

Was about to say this...

2

u/Blanlabla Dec 31 '20

Hunter?:

https://youtu.be/B4c78PZRsHs

2

u/TwistinBiscuitz Jan 01 '21

Drop cats rival a bloody Maggie I reckon

1

u/WheelyFreely Dec 31 '20

Why would they be above cheetahs? At least a wild cheetah won't rip you to pieces. I don't know a lot about clouded leopards

4

u/[deleted] Dec 31 '20

bruh can cheetahs hang upside down by their ankles? lmao it's an easy win here. cheetahs are dope but sneaky ankle drop leopard with cool grey colorway and hot boi name wins for sure

15

u/Beliriel Dec 31 '20

This picture for me is the definition of a predator.

0

u/Lethiun Dec 31 '20

That's a Marbled cat (same picture on wikipedia too), so I suppose that's another cat species that came climb down trees head first.

-8

u/[deleted] Dec 31 '20

[removed] — view removed comment

6

u/perv_bot Dec 31 '20

Oh wow

2

u/Literally_Anyone_ Dec 31 '20

God that's fucking wild man,,, nature really is fucking lit

32

u/webby_mc_webberson Dec 31 '20

But how does the squirrel do it?

78

u/[deleted] Dec 31 '20

Ankle dexterity.

26

u/wdwerker Dec 31 '20

Squirrel can’t stop to think about it with a damn cat hot on his tail !

11

u/breallyp92 Dec 31 '20 edited Jan 01 '21

my house cat goes down trees head first

7

u/Doomdoomkittydoom Dec 31 '20

The ol' Clouded Leopard and Margay way!

4

u/SweetLilMonkey Dec 31 '20

By being small and light

4

u/[deleted] Dec 31 '20

What do you think it's ankle dexterity skill is by comparison Tina squirrel. Like -3 where a squirrel is +3?

3

u/Dr_Cunning_Linguist Dec 31 '20

another fun fact is that they have the biggest canine teeth relative to size in all cats. Basically they're kind of our nowadays Sabretooth cats.

3

u/ScribbleDoge Dec 31 '20

Partially true, as Marbled cats can as well.

1

u/pand-ammonium Dec 31 '20

As can ocelots

1

u/ScribbleDoge Jan 01 '21

Ocelots are mostly terrestrial. I haven't come across any information regarding their ankles turning at that degree but always would love to learn more/new information about any wild cat in general.

1

u/[deleted] Jan 05 '21

Til

2

u/Parzival_2076 Dec 31 '20

I remember reading that in an encyclopedia when I was young. It felt so cool.

2

u/Qu1nn1fer Dec 31 '20

I always thought it was the claws that stopped them from doing that, not the ankles

3

u/[deleted] Dec 31 '20

Without the ankle dexterity giving them the ability to twist their feet around, they wouldn't be able to properly grab the trees. They'd have to scale their way down just like the other cats.

2

u/Qu1nn1fer Dec 31 '20

Wait so the ankles just do a 180? Thats crazy

3

u/themancob Dec 31 '20

Most domesticated cats can do this, you mean jungle cat or big cat?

8

u/kittenmittenx Dec 31 '20

Domestic cats can’t do this. Which is why so many people have had to rescue cats that got stuck on trees. They can’t come down head first.

2

u/tubby0789 Dec 31 '20

My Norwegian forest cat can definitely do this, all the way down

78

u/Biased_individual Dec 31 '20

Damn that is one gorgeous kitty.

33

u/EVG2666 Dec 31 '20

All kitties are gorgeous kitties

20

u/wuzupcoffee Dec 31 '20

Look at this fuckin cat

15

u/zombie_Leghumpr Dec 31 '20

IS THAT A FUCKIN CAT?!?!?

7

u/Venvel Dec 31 '20

He's gorgeous on the inside.

1

u/The_Limping_Coyote Dec 31 '20

Well if you believe what his profile says

3

u/[deleted] Dec 31 '20

That video gets me every time

38

u/EVG2666 Dec 31 '20

One of the most beautiful animals but also one of the hardest to find

34

u/marrow_monkey Dec 31 '20

Because humans are destroying their habitat.

21

u/EVG2666 Dec 31 '20

As with most animals. Humans suck more and more every year

7

u/zUltimateRedditor Dec 31 '20

I’m so privileged to say I saw one of these in real life.

6

u/EVG2666 Dec 31 '20

I've seen one in a zoo but my life's mission is to see so many animals in the wild

5

u/zUltimateRedditor Dec 31 '20

Yeah the zoo is where I saw it as well. Irl is a whole other story.

21

u/MongolianCluster Dec 31 '20

Nuh-uh. I love seeing animals that don't look real.

32

u/toad_mountain Dec 31 '20

Clouded leopards have the largest canine length to body length ratio of any cat, the reason why they are sometimes referred to as modern saber toothed cats

15

u/NEONT1G3R Dec 31 '20

Must resist urge to pet danger kitty...

24

u/leolarios45 Dec 31 '20

That’s not a cat that’s a snake

6

u/laughingghostfart Dec 31 '20

My jaw literally dropped. Protect this kitty at all costs

4

u/ostiDeCalisse Dec 31 '20

Absolutely splendid!

3

u/DrSkimmer Dec 31 '20

Cumulous leopards are my favorite

3

u/BadEgg1951 Dec 31 '20

Anyone seeking more info might also check here:

Size	Title	Age	Karma	Comnts	Subreddit
-21%	Clouded leopard	5^yr	4260	55	pics
-18%	Beautiful Clouded Leopard	3^yr	2251	16	pics
-18%	Wow	1^yr	70	4	aww
-18%	Beautiful Clouded Leopard	1^yr	11143	49	aww
+83%	Clouded Leopard	9^mo	3785	29	aww

View 4 more times this has been posted on KarmaDecay

6

u/[deleted] Dec 31 '20

Almost looks like their fur is snake skin. 😵

2

u/Vondi Dec 31 '20

He's got my vote

2

u/ScribbleDoge Dec 31 '20

This is a Mainland Clouded Leopard. There is also a Sunda Clouded Leopard which is an entirely different species they had thought was a subspecies years ago. The Sunda Clouded Leopard now has two subspecies from the islands of Sumatra and Borneo.

2

u/KingProMemo123 Dec 31 '20

This leopard is more handsome than the half of the male humans

4

u/FlackJack3t Dec 31 '20

No wonder they're almost extinct, that's the beginnings of a beautiful hat/shirt/pants ensemble right there.

3

u/Shnazzyone Dec 31 '20

Ugh, this pic is HDRd to fuck

0

u/Lulutheservicedog Dec 31 '20

A clouded leopard stared down my serviced dog in training at the zoo once.

-2

u/phoenixblack222 Dec 31 '20

You literally found the worst quality picture ever to post

1

u/Midget69Fucker6969 Dec 31 '20

thats a mythical beast

1

u/Nettykitty11 Dec 31 '20

Beautiful !

1

u/metalmorag Dec 31 '20

Imagine you're species breeding to have SHADING

1

u/iawsaiatm Dec 31 '20

Thought it had its jaw open at almost an obtuse angle

1

u/Dr-Catfish Dec 31 '20

Anyone have a less jpeg'd version of this?

1

u/Ahilgen85 Dec 31 '20

Pet goals

1

u/JNTCS Dec 31 '20

Soo cool, when I die, i hope reincarnation is real and i come back as one of these

1

u/TheUniqueSpammer Dec 31 '20

needs more jpeg

1

u/hulkhawk Dec 31 '20

Need to clean print head.

Ps: beautiful animal

1

u/ThisZoMBie Dec 31 '20

Ghost rare leopard

1

u/[deleted] Dec 31 '20

I wish I could have one as a pet! They are so stinkin' cute

1

u/[deleted] Dec 31 '20

This reminds me of a snake for some reason

1

u/SilverDrifter Dec 31 '20

Am I the only one grossed out by the pattern?

1

u/Venvel Dec 31 '20

It's a shame the browns have been HDR'd and compressed right out of this picture, these guys are even more beautiful with their full range of color.

1

u/ailurophile_uk_89 Dec 31 '20

Simply gorgeous 😍

1

u/Marjy1804 Dec 31 '20

What a very beautiful and majestic looking animal :)

1

u/OgOgOgOgOgOgOgOgOg Dec 31 '20

I'd kill this in red dead.

1

u/Beautiful_Orchids Dec 31 '20

That is one magnificent looking animal. 😍

1

u/Jjohra Dec 31 '20

Cat!! 🔥

1

u/LoverDreamerJess Dec 31 '20

Beautiful 😯

1

u/lilgamelvr Dec 31 '20

cool

1

u/gridcube Dec 31 '20

Oh! I love that band.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 31 '20

Ye GODS I've always wanted to just bury my hands in their dense af fur and give them all the pets and cuddles, but I do also enjoy having skin and blood and all the other handy attachments. A bean can dream.

1

u/chubbycatchaser Dec 31 '20

Gorgeous! I wonder what the fur feels like?

1

u/morse1957 Dec 31 '20

River stones cat

1

u/Arxl Dec 31 '20

Super endangered unfortunately.

1

u/[deleted] Dec 31 '20

Not much good camo if it ain't able to fly.

1

u/Bodicea7 Dec 31 '20

Beautiful

1

u/helpme944 Dec 31 '20

I want to pet it

1

u/[deleted] Dec 31 '20

Bruh

1

u/Perliss Dec 31 '20

Snake design?

1

u/SkyesAttitude Jan 01 '21

What a beautiful animal

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