Inokashira Park Zoo began keeping Amur Leopard Cat in 2000. They have also been working on breeding them, and the offspring have been sent to zoos in Japan and South Korea.

Currently, we are utilizing our existing breeding techniques and have been participating since 2006 in the Tsushima Tsushima Leopard Cat conservation and breeding project, which is being carried out in cooperation with Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the Ministry of the Environment. In "The Leopard animal keeper 's Animal Diary" [*], we have talked about their behavior and so on, and this time we will introduce some points to keep in mind when observing leopard cats.

First, please take another look at the photo of Fuyuto (male), Tsushima Leopard Cat, which was posted on November 21, 2024.


"Fuyuto" when he was in the non-exhibition area.
Do you notice anything in this photo? The ground is slightly visible, and there's a wildcat perched on a tree stump in the bamboo thicket, staring intently at us with a sharp gaze... Looking more closely, it seems to be in good health, as it has climbed onto the stump and moved to a higher position. Let's look even more closely and broaden our perspective. Then we can see "white streaks" on the stump it's climbing, but what are these?

These are their "scratch marks." They have several scratching spots, and you can sometimes hear them scratching even while you're cleaning. Also, if you see fresh marks on wood or other surfaces, you can immediately tell they've been scratching, and if you search the area, you might find detached claws.

Scratching is the act of shedding old layers of claws. A cat's claws grow in layers of thin nails, like a mille-feuille pastry. When the old, rounded or chipped claws are shed, a sharp, new claw emerges. Cats sharpen their claws to prepare for hunting.


detached nail
You too can observe Amur Leopard Cat trio's scratching spots and behavior in their exhibit area... just like in this photo...

A log used for scratching claws	The cat is sharpening its claws.

Now, let's all try observing!

[Inokashira Park Zoo Animal Care and Exhibition Staff, Karasawa]

^ ◎Animal diary
・ Tsushima Leopard Cat animal keeper consider "feces" to be important!! (June 8, 2018)
・ Wildcats: Messages from their feces (November 21, 2024)
・ Wildcat animal keeper 's Animal Diary No. 3 ~Momo the Tsushima Leopard Cat Wildcat~ (January 12, 2025)

(May 18, 2025)