I've found this 'friendly leo' thread interesting.
A few years ago I read an article in one of the reptile magazines about
leopards. I can't remember exactly who wrote it, but it was a well known leopard
breeder. (Can't find that issue of the magazine right now to check). I'm trying
to remember the specifics of this one cage set-up mentioned. If I remember
correctly, the group of leopards was in a top opening set-up, and then moved to
a front opening one. The author mentioned that the change in behaviour in the
leopards was remarkable. They used to be somewhat timid, but in the front
opening one they changed to friendlier, outgoing and even voluntarily walked up
his arms. His theory was, at least in part, that once 'the hand' reached in
from their level, not from above, it wasn't perceived as a predator, and they
were more relaxed.
Over the years, I've had my leopards in glass tanks, top opening, like a lot, if
not most people do. Now I've got some in front opening cages and noticed a
distinct difference too. There are 2 sections with 4 cages in each. The leopards
in the ones near the top, at my waist or shoulder level, are friendly as
anything now. They come out to check what I'm doing when I reach into the cage,
they walk up my arms, always ready to interact. The ones lower down, at knee and
hip level to me, are not quite as friendly, first stopping to see what or who is
coming into the cage. Once they see it's only me, they also interact willingly,
but not quite as calmly as those in the higher cages. The difference between the
leopards in top cages, and those lower down is very noticeable.
Both are a world of difference when compared to the top opening set-ups.
It's not at all unusual for them to stand at the door and watch us at any time
of the day. A couple of times I've tried an experiment, where I held a cricket
or superworm in my hand, about 3 or 4 feet from the cage while one of the
leopards was watching me. He definitely saw the food, and tried to get to it.
While I was walking towards the cage, the leopard kept his eyes on my hand, and
walked right up and grabbed the bug the second it was within reach. Yet, when I
had them in top opening cages, in the same spot in the room, I rarely saw any of
them check us out the same way. I don't think any of them would have cared if I
had held a tub full of crickets in my hand.
I really don't know what, if anything this proves, but it's interesting. Quite
possibly, like the author of the article said, they don't see me as a predator
or threat since I'm on not approaching from above, like most predators would.
If anyone else has noticed a change in behaviour after a set-up change, it would
be interesting to compare notes.
Hilde
--
~*~***~*~
Chaos, panic, & disorder
- my work in the kitchen is done.
"Mageirocophobia" is the intense fear of having to cook.
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