Q. Consider the following statements with respect to the Clouded Leopard:
1.It is the state animal of Meghalaya.
2.It is classified as Vulnerable under the IUCN Red List.
3.They inhabit alpine and subalpine zones of mountainous regions of Central and South Asia.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation –
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Clouded Leopard is the state animal of Meghalaya. It is classified as Vulnerable under the IUCN Red List. It is placed under Schedule 1st of the Wildlife (protection) act of 1972. They got their name from the clouds like pattern on their whole body. Clouded leopards have a darker coat color which has smaller and darker cloud markings on them. The fur color includes yellow to brown, which makes them darker. Clouded leopards can hang upside down from branches of trees by making use of their short limbs, broader paws, and sharp nails. They have the longest tail among the cats.
Statement 3 is incorrect. Clouded Leopards are commonly found tropical rain forests of Nepal, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, China. Southeast Asia is their main habitat.
Source: Forum IAS
