Introducing Houston Zoo's very cute leopard cubs

... who just want to snuggle up to their teddy bear

• The cubs were born earlier this year but these are the first images of the pair
• They are the first ever clouded leopards born at Houston Zoo, in Texas 
• Clouded leopards are classified as 'vulnerable' by the ICUN 
• It is therefore common practice to hand-raise new cubs in zoos  

By Thomas Burrows for MailOnline

Published: 20 August 2014   

Curled up together in an adorable pose, all these cuddly leopard cubs want to do is snuggle with their teddy bear. 

The clouded leopard cubs were born at Houston Zoo in Texas earlier this year, but these are the first pictures released of the pair.

They were born in June but since then, have received 24-hour care by the zoological team in the veterinary clinic. 

Scroll down for video 

The adorable clouded leopard cubs were born in June, but these are first pictures of the pair

They are the offspring of Suksn and Tarak, both aged two - the year clouded leopards begin reproduction 

They were born in June but since then, have received 24-hour care by the staff at the zoo in the veterinary clinic

As the cubs are so rare, it is common practice in zoos to hand-raise all newborn clouded leopards

The cubs - listed as vulnerable by ICUN - are the first ever clouded leopards at Houston Zoo, in Texas

The cubs are the first ever clouded leopards at Houston Zoo and are the offspring of Suksn and Tarak, both aged two, the year they begin their reproduction. 

Clouded leopards -  the most talented climbers among the cats - are classified as 'vulnerable' on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (ICUN) and its total population is no more than 10,000. 

-This is down to factors such as deforestation, illegal trading, and poaching commercially. Some parts, such as claws, skin, and teeth are also consumed for decoration purposes.

Feeding time for Clouded Leopard cubs at Houston Zoo

   

The cubs at Houston Zoo seemed more keen to play with their teddy bear than pose for pictures

A zoo keeper shows off the tiny clouded leopard cubs, which are most commonly found in Asia

As such, it is important to do as much as possible to ensure the health and well-being of the threatened animal.It is common practice in zoos to hand-raise all newborn clouded leopards. The cat is most commonly found in the Himalayan foothills through mainland Southeast Asia into China.  

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