National Zoo Staff have determined that the genetically valuable litter of two
clouded leopard cubs born at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology
Institute in Front Royal, Va. Feb. 14 (Valentine’s Day) are both male.
The cubs are now eating up to 88 grams of feline diet, two times per
day, in addition to formula. The cubs are growing at a steady and
healthy rate—the larger cub weighs 4 pounds and 9 ounces and the smaller
cub weighs 4 pounds and 7 ounces. In addition, the cubs now ‘chuff,’
which can be described as a puffing sound and is considered a sign of
recognition. They are very playful—rolling around and chasing each
other—after each feeding.
Photo Credit: Mehgan Murphy/Smithsonian's National Zoo
Born just over two months ago, the National Zoo's Valentine's Day Clouded Leopard twins are now up and about, and making eyes for the zoo's all-star photographer Mehgan Murphy. We have selected a few of the best takes from three sessions. In the first group, taken earlier this month, the cubs are starting to take on distinct personalities.
Photo Credits: Mehgan Murphy / Smithsonian's National Zoo
Find more shots of the cubs at just over a month below the fold.
Just this past Sunday, the Smithsonian's National Zoo welcomed two
adorable Clouded Leopard Cubs. At just half a pound, these tiny cubs
weigh little more than house cat kittens. But these cubs have more to
offer than just a ridiculously cute little face. Because they are only
two generations removed from wild populations, their genetic stock is
especially valuable to conservation focused breeding efforts.
Photo Credits: Mehgan Murphy / Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Making her public debut Dec. 4th, this little Amur Leopard cub was born four weeks ago at Germany's Serengeti Park. Native to Russia's Far East, Amur Leopards are critically endangered with less than 40 estimated left in the wild.
Roar!
Photo Credits: Joerg Sarbach / Associated Press
Consider helping to protect these beautiful animals this holiday season by donating to the ALTA, the Amur Leopard Conservation organization.
Well technically they're cubs... but the Woodland Park Zoo's newest little Snow Leopards sure look like curious kittens to us. ZooBorns covered these guys when they were tiny back in June but it's only been two months and they still have a lot of growing to do.
Once again, kudos to the Woodland Park Zoo's Ryan Hawk for the great footage and editing.
There's so much going on at zoo nurseries these days we can barely keep up! Enjoy this collection of outstanding videos from Smithsonian National Zoo and Bronx Zoo.
In a 24-hour-period between July 9 and 10, a clouded leopard cub, a Przewalski's horse, and a red panda cub
were all born at Smithsonian's National Zoo's Conservation and Research
Center
Looks like the Smithsonian National Zoo is gonna need a bigger bird house!
Watch a baby lemur grow from a sleepy eyed infant into a bouncing teen (in lemur years) at the Bronx Zoo
This "ferocious" young cub was born in May at Utah's Hogle Zoo but just recently debuted to the public. Critically endangered in their native home of the Himalayas and other Central Asian mountain ranges, snow leopards are bred at zoos across the country as part of the AZA's Species Survival Plan.
Jao Chu (JOW-chew), a 3-year-old endangered clouded leopard at the Smithsonian National Zoo, gave birth to a cub at 5:30 p.m. on Friday afternoon. Staff had been on a pregnancy watch for
several days. Mother and cub are doing well. The cub’s sex will not be
confirmed for about one week.
Tiny head... not so tiny claws!
The birth represents the second time Jao Chu and 3-year-old Hannibal
have produced offspring. Jao Chu gave birth to two male cubs March
24—Sa Ming (SAH-meeng), “brave warrior,” and Ta Moon (TAH-moon),
“mischievous child.” Lots more photos after the jump.
"ZooBorns pulls off the difficult task of being cute and interesting for people of all ages while also being informative. Many books seek this lofty goal but most fail." - Seattle Post Intelligencer