Calving and Nursing Behaviors of the Captive Leopard
Through behavioral sampling, the activity rhythms and maternity change of a captive leopard ( Panthera pardu) were investigated during nursing period at Chengdu Zoo from March 2005 to March 2006. The results indicated that three kinds of behaviors, including resting (47. 12% ~ 55. 8% ) , observing ( 18. 92% ~ 22. 43% ) and licking cub ( 10. 1% ~ 13. 33% ) , mainly occurred during nursing period in the first month after calving. The frequency of activity was low in the first three days after calving, and became higher as time went by. The frequency of licking cub was higher in the first day after calving. The changes of licking cub and acting revealed that the maternity of leopard had a declined tide during the nursing period.