Musk deer
Saker falcon
Pallas’s cat
WHY DOES AN IRB IS HAVE A TAIL AND WHY DOES HE CARRY IT IN HIS TEETH?
The snow leopard is not the largest member of its family, but it is a leader in tail size, which is slightly shorter than the entire body of the animal. This ratio can’t be beaten, not even by a tiger. But why is the snow leopard’s tail so long, and what is it used for? We will discuss this today.
Tail functions
A long tail is not just an ornament. It plays an important role in the life of the snow leopard and performs a number of important functions.
Balancer
The snow leopard’s habitat is characterized by steep mountains and perilous cliffs, making survival and foraging for food challenging. However, animals that inhabit such environments have adapted successfully over time.
For the leopard, the long and substantial tail has evolved to be a valuable asset. Its primary prey, mountain goats and sheep, also inhabit these environments, making hunting successful for the leopard dependent on its ability to maintain equilibrium on rocky terrain. The leopard’s tail functions as a rudder, helping to maintain balance and direction, a critical skill during jumps, enabling the leopard to perform agile maneuvers while hunting.
For the leopard, the long and substantial tail has evolved to be a valuable asset. Its primary prey, mountain goats and sheep, also inhabit these environments, making hunting successful for the leopard dependent on its ability to maintain equilibrium on rocky terrain. The leopard’s tail functions as a rudder, helping to maintain balance and direction, a critical skill during jumps, enabling the leopard to perform agile maneuvers while hunting.
Blanket
The tail serves as a blanket during rest. When going to bed, irbises wrap their tail around their body and hide their nose in it, thereby regulating their body temperature. During sleep, additional insulation is not required.
Toy for kittens
The first two months are spent by kittens in a secluded, hard-to-access den. Initially, the mother cat provides milk, and subsequently, she begins to introduce her prey to the kittens. However, the kittens must learn to procure food independently, a process that is facilitated by play.
Play is a unique form of behavior that enables kittens to train muscles, improve coordination, develop agility, and hone hunting skills. Hunting the mother cat’s tail is a crucial aspect of preparing young irbises for actual hunts.
Play is not merely a means of training; it is a source of enjoyment for the kittens. Playful forms of behavior are preserved in adult animals, and play helps dispel boredom and provides the activity necessary for an animal’s health.
Play is a unique form of behavior that enables kittens to train muscles, improve coordination, develop agility, and hone hunting skills. Hunting the mother cat’s tail is a crucial aspect of preparing young irbises for actual hunts.
Play is not merely a means of training; it is a source of enjoyment for the kittens. Playful forms of behavior are preserved in adult animals, and play helps dispel boredom and provides the activity necessary for an animal’s health.
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.
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.
The main myth
The Internet abounds with photos of irbis in unconventional positions, one of which is the snow leopard holding its tail between its teeth. This prompts the question of the rationale behind this behavior.
According to numerous sources, the snow leopard is so vigilant about its tail that it carries it in its mouth to prevent it from becoming wet or dirty. However, alternative explanations have been proposed, including the possibility that the snow leopard may be attempting to redistribute the weight of its tail to alleviate physical strain.
According to numerous sources, the snow leopard is so vigilant about its tail that it carries it in its mouth to prevent it from becoming wet or dirty. However, alternative explanations have been proposed, including the possibility that the snow leopard may be attempting to redistribute the weight of its tail to alleviate physical strain.
The underlying cause of this behavior is boredom
Zoological observations indicate that snow leopards exhibit this behavior in captivity, but not in the wild. Zoologists hypothesize that playing with their own tail is a form of self-amusement, similar to playing with a toy.
The management of zoos and kennels presents a multifaceted challenge, encompassing not only the provision of sustenance, protection from harm, and healthcare but also the mitigation of boredom. The pervasive nature of enclosures and the resultant boredom can be detrimental to animal well-being, necessitating the implementation of environmental enrichment strategies. Specialists meticulously design and implement environmental enrichment strategies, aiming to diversify animals' living spaces and support their natural behaviors. One notable approach involves feeding animals in a way that requires them to work for their food, mimicking their natural predatory instincts. This environmental enrichment fosters mental stimulation and physical activity, contributing to the well-being of the animals.
The management of zoos and kennels presents a multifaceted challenge, encompassing not only the provision of sustenance, protection from harm, and healthcare but also the mitigation of boredom. The pervasive nature of enclosures and the resultant boredom can be detrimental to animal well-being, necessitating the implementation of environmental enrichment strategies. Specialists meticulously design and implement environmental enrichment strategies, aiming to diversify animals' living spaces and support their natural behaviors. One notable approach involves feeding animals in a way that requires them to work for their food, mimicking their natural predatory instincts. This environmental enrichment fosters mental stimulation and physical activity, contributing to the well-being of the animals.
© The Interregional Association “Center for the Study and Conservation of the Snow Leopard ”Irbis”, 2021 — 2025
Musk deer
Saker falcon
Pallas’s cat
