Unusual Pets: The Clouded Leopard

The fantastic pattern of the Clouded Leopard's fur is more striking than the stripes, spots and shades of other animals. The pattern of its fur looks like marble blotches and as a result, the Clouded Leopard is often referred to as the marbled cat. Each blotch is different from all the others. While the small blotches are exquisite, the larger ones are even more beautiful. Because of their unique fur, the Clouded Leopard has been hunted almost to extinction. Fortunately they are now protected under the Endangered Species Act, however, poachers still keep the species on the verge of extinction.

The major difference between the males and females is the weight of the animals. The males weigh up to sixty pounds and the females seldom exceed thirty pounds. Since their natural habitat includes spending a lot of time in tall trees, their long, thick and furry tail provides excellent balance. They have the longest canine teeth among the cat family. Their body structure is compressed and powerful. Clouded Leopards have short but muscular legs with huge front paws.

Since the animal comes from forested regions, it is very found of climbing. Therefore, in captivity, its cage should be built as tall as possible. It must be at least ten feet high and it would be even better if were up to forty feet high with trees provided within the cage. Climbing trees and reaching great height is a must exercise for them to satisfy their psychological needs. If the cat is taken outdoors to climb trees, be very careful because if they escape they are very quick and difficult to catch. Their cage should also be equipped with hanging toys, which they can leap to catch. Other toys can also be included.

Clouded Leopards can be fed live chickens, pigeons, rabbits, rats and even chunks of fresh beef. Before consuming their food Clouded Leopards do a ritual which aids in the digestion process. The prey is killed and then the Clouded Leopard plays with the dead prey for more than an hour. When it has finished playing, then it eats what it has killed. If a tree is provided in its living habitat, it will take its dead prey up the tree and eat it there. Other than their regular food they should also be given daily vitamin supplements and the giblets of chickens or turkeys. Their daily diet should consist of at least one chicken, a rabbit and a rat. Clouded Leopards can make up to forty different sounds. They mimic many birds and monkeys in order to lure them into striking range. Once the prey is nearby they pounce on them and subsequently kill them. In the wild they frequently drop on their prey from overhanging tree branches.

In the wild Clouded Leopards bond when they are quite young and keep the same mate for life. Unsuccessful attempts have been made to breed them in captivity 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 a comfort level with each other. Once they bond, the pair shouldn’t be separated, as separation will cause one or both to die prematurely.

After a baby Clouded Leopard is born, it can be kept with its mother for six weeks, after which it should be paired with one of 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.

Clouded Leopards in the wild do not live in prides like other wild cats, and they avoid inhabited areas. Therefore, in zoos, these animals shouldn’t be exposed to the public for long periods of time because it causes them extreme stress, which will eventually cause untimely death. Also, they shouldn’t be transferred frequently as this also causes them stress.

Some states in the USA will not allow you to have Clouded Leopards as pets and even in states where they are allowed, they come at a huge price. Because of their rarity and the fact that they are easily stressed, keeping Clouded Leopards as pets is not encouraged.


Until next time,

Teia