Passport
Scientists are interested in irbis tails for two reasons. First, because they are secretive animals, observing them in the wild is extremely difficult. Second, photo traps can provide information about their habits, including their movements. The pattern of spots on the fur is unique to each individual, which helps zoologists monitor the population.
To accurately identify individual animals, scientists meticulously study the unique patterning of spots and enter the most distinctive characteristics into a specialized database. Notably, leopards rarely pose fully, often only revealing part of the body, including the tail, in a frame.
This poses a significant challenge in identifying individual animals. However, in addition to the pattern of spots, distinctive markings play a crucial role in recognizing each animal’s unique identity. For instance, the irbis Guta, which resided on the Chikhachev Ridge, exhibited a hooked tail tip and an atypical white coloration, distinguishing it from other leopards, which typically have black tail tips.