Comparing an ocelot and a clouded leopard
The 5 main differences between an ocelot ad a clouded leopard
The main differences between an ocelot and a clouded leopard are their size, evolutionary history, distribution, and habitat. Ocelots and clouded leopards are two incredibly wild felines that are as beautiful as they are mysterious. Both cats are stealthy, elegant hunters that use their prowess to stay hidden from prey and predator alike, making them quite rare to encounter. The two have many similarities, although both animals have their fair share of differences. The ocelot is a native cat to the Americas, and it belongs to a genus of cats known as Leopardus, of which there are eight total species. This genus of cats is the oldest group that came across the Bering Land Bridge and can trace ancestry to the cats who crossed during the late Miocene. The clouded leopard is an old species that can trace its heritage to millions of years ago. In fact, they are the first cat to genetically diverge from the common ancestor of pantherine cats, around 7 million years ago. Although genetically related, these cats live in different regions of the world. Ocelots are primarily jungle-dwelling cats that live across Central and South America, while clouded leopards are found in the dry highland forests around the Himalayan foothills in Asia. Let’s take a closer look at these cats and see what else makes them unique.
Ocelot vs Clouded Leopard: Taxonomy
The ocelot is a feline (cat), meaning it belongs to the Felidae family. Additionally, ocelots belong o the Leopardus genus, classifying them as one of eight small “New World” cats. New World means the Americas and surrounding regions. The ancestors of ocelots likely crossed into the Americas via the Bering Land Bridge nearly 30,000 years ago. Clouded leopards are also cats and belong to the Felidae family. Clouded leopards also belong to the Pantherinae subfamily and were the first cats to split into the subfamily around 5-9 million years ago.
Ocelot vs Clouded Leopard: Size
The clouded leopard is a bit larger than the ocelot, although the difference isn’t much between the two. Ocelots generally measure 21-40 inches long, with an 11-18 inch tail. They usually weigh between 17-35 lbs. They are the largest New World cats classified in the Leopardus genus. Clouded leopards are slightly larger than ocelots. They generally measure 27-42 inches long, with a very long 24-36 inch tail. Clouded leopards weigh between 25-50 lbs, or about 10-20 lbs heavier than an ocelot.
Ocelot vs Clouded Leopard: Appearance
The ocelot is a medium-sized cat with cream or tawny coat. They have distinct markings, usually a mixture of black stripes and spots across their entire bodies. Their undersides are white and proportionally thinner and taller than the clouded leopard. Clouded leopards are larger than ocelots but have shorter, more powerful legs. They have a dark grey or earthy-colored coat with a mixture of black or dark grey spots and stripes across their bodies.
Ocelot vs Clouded Leopard: Distribution
The ocelot is a New World cat found in the southwestern United States, all the way south to the northern regions of Argentina. Arizona and Texas are the only US states with a native population, although it is very small. The clouded leopard lives across the high elevation foothills of the Himalayan mountains. Native countries include Nepal, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia, and China.
Ocelot vs Clouded Leopard: Habitat
The ocelot can be found in various habitats across its range. They are normally seen in tropical forests and wetlands (swamps and mangroves) but also in arid savannas. Clouded leopards are superb climbers and are always found around trees and in forests. Various forest types include subtropical, semi-deciduous, semi-evergreen, and hill forests.
