The striking pattern of clouded leopard outdoes all other
patterns, stripes, spots and shades. It can be better explained
as marble blotches and hence, clouded leopard is sometimes
called marbled cat. No one blotch is similar and the larger ones
are more beautiful when compared to the smaller ones. Clouded
animals are on the verge of extinction and the Endangered
Species Act has been passed for them. Some states even say that
it is illegal to keep them as pets and even in states where they
are allowed, they come for a huge price.
There is major difference between weight of males and females.
The males weigh up to sixty pounds where as the females weigh
thirty pounds. Since the natural habitats of these animals are
found on high altitudes, they have a long, thick and furry tail.
They have the longest canine teeth among the cat family. The
structure of the body in front is compressed and powerful.
Clouded leopards have short but muscular legs with huge front
paws.
Since the animal comes from the mountainous region, it is very
found of climbing. Its cage should be built at least ten feet
high and it would be even better if trees are provided within
the captivity. Climbing trees and reaching great height is a
must exercise for them to satisfy their psychological needs. But
extra care must be taken when they are outdoors and on trees
because if they escape they are very quick and difficult to
catch. The cage can also be equipped with hanging toys, which
they can leap to reach. Other than that other toys can be
included.
Clouded leopards can be fed with fresh chicken, pigeons, chunks
of beef, rabbits, rats and even with fresh blood. Before
consuming the food it does a ritual which aids their digestion
process. They have a very unique way of hunting it prey. The
prey is killed first, after which the clouded leopard plays with
the deceased prey for more than an hour. At the end, it eats its
prey. And if a tree is provided in its living habitat, it will
take its dead prey up the tree and eat it there. Clouded
leopards can make up to forty sounds and have very good vocal
chords. They mimic many birds and also monkeys in order to trick
them and subsequently kill them. Other than the regular food
they should also be given daily vitamins supplements and
giblets. Their daily diet should comprise of at least one
chicken, a rabbit and a rat.
Clouded leopards make partners for life and bonds very early in
life. Unsuccessful attempts are made to breed them by
introducing the pair to each other post adolescence which is too
late. In order to be successful, the pair should be introduced
very early so that they can take time to develop the comfort
level and build love. The pair shouldn’t be separated till
death, as that will affect both of them immensely. After the
birth of the offspring, it can be kept with the mother for six
weeks, after which it can be paired with the opposite sex for
bonding. If the cub is separated earlier than that, it can be
fed with bottled milk, which also helps to develop a
relationship with the owner.
In zoos, too, these animals shouldn’t be exposed a lot to the
public, which drags them into extreme stress and eventually
untimely death. Also they shouldn’t be transferred frequently
and separated from their partners after a certain age.