Reproductive parameters of clouded leopards (Neofelis nebulosa)

Abstract

Reproductive data compiled from the International Clouded Leopard Studbook revealed that 75% of all litters were born to females between one and five years of age. Sixty-three percent of the males had sired litters by four years of age with reproduction declining after six years of age. Sixteen zoological institutions surveyed worldwide contributed estrous cycle data from 28 clouded leopards. Sexual maturity (age at first estrus) for these females ranged from 17 to 28 months of age with a mean estrous cycle length of 29.9 k 13.8 days. The mean length of estrus was six days. Gestation length ranged from 85 to 121 days (X = 93.4 k 6.3). There was a significantly higher incidence of estrus in fall and winter compared with spring and summer over latitudes ranging from 36"-45" and 5 1"-55" (P < .005). Mating occurred in all months except June and October, and cubs were produced in all months except December. The highest frequency of mating occurred during the month of December corresponding with a birth peak in March.

Food Habits of the Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis euptilurus) in Korea

“…Age at last reproduction: (C) 12 (Yamada and Durrant 1989) -15 years (P. Andrews in Zitt. 1993); most litters born to males and females between 2-4 years (Yamada and Durrant 1989).…”

“…Research into the management and husbandry requirements of the clouded leopard is only just beginning, but the main problem is mate incompatibility, often fatal. The best solution seems to be establishing pairs when the animals are still sexually immature (Yamada and Durrant 1989).…”

Allee effect, sexual selection and demographic stochasticity

“…Mate incompatibility and rejection of apparently reproductively healthy individuals is a major problem in zoos. For example, extensive evidence is present for gorillas, Gorilla gorilla (Nadler andCollins 1984, Watts 1990), cheetahs, Acinonyx jubatus (Brand 1980, Schuman 1991, Stearns 1991, clouded leopards, Neofelis nebulosa (Yamada and Durrant 1989), leopards, Panthera pardus (Shoemaker 1982), snow leopards, Panthera uncia (Marma and Yunchis 1968), giant pandas (Kleiman 1994) and kangaroo rats, Dipodomys hermanni (Thompson 1995).…”

Successful ovulation induction and laparoscopic intrauterine artificial insemination in the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)

“…Development of Species Survival Plan (SSP)-like programs and Taxon Advisory Groups (TAGS) by zoo organizations worldwide has allowed specific action plans to be established for maintaining genetic diversity in captive populations. In no species is there greater need for efficient management than the clouded leopard, largely because the captive population clearly is not self-sustainable [Yamada and Durrant, 1989;Fletchall, 19941 [Fletchall, 19941. Fewer than 25% of the adult males and 37% of the adult females in North America have reproduced, and no living males have sired offspring with more than one female. Compared to other felid species, the clouded leopard demonstrates one of the highest incidences of behavioral incompatibility between paired individuals.…”