Under the blanket of darkness : what goes on beneath the covers for a pair of clouded leopards in night safari.

• Main Author: Tang, Cecilia Hui Jun.
• Other Authors: School of Biological Sciences
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2011
• Subjects: DRNTU::Science
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/44343
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

While most literature identified incompatible pairing leading to fatal attacks by the male clouded leopards to be the main challenge for captive breeding of this species, estrus and mating behaviors of clouded leopards are not well documented. Using infra-red cameras, this study investigates the behavioral dynamics of a pair of captive clouded leopards who have successfully bred. Marking behaviors and rubbing of conspecific were found to occur more frequently during the estrus period, as with the amount of time the male clouded leopard spent with the female clouded leopard. Mating was observed between nightfall and dawn, as well as in the afternoon, with the average duration for lordosis being 39.6 + 25.82 seconds, and mounting being 42.4 + 27.7 seconds. The importance of nest boxes to captive female clouded leopards, as well as the ensuring of a conducive and quiet environment for successful breeding, was also discussed in this paper. Furthermore, the affiliation and interaction shared between this pair of compatibly-paired clouded leopards were quantified and presented as a possible benchmark for the assessment of pairing success. In conclusion, gaps in reproductive knowledge of clouded leopards were bridged, and suggestions to enhance captive breeding success put forth, by this paper.