These Photos of Snow Leopards Biting Their Own Tails Will Make Your Day June 01 2018, 6 Comments
Ah, the majestic Snow Leopard. Panthera uncia. The Ghost of the Mountains. They're majestic, regal, magnificent.
They also nom their own tails.
Their tails are so fluffy not even they can resist a nibble.
Mm, delicious.
So fluffy! So magical! So ... Tasty?
Not even the cubs can resist.
Tails make the purr-fect toys, after all.
Even mom agrees!
Excuse me while I have just a little a munch ...
Just a tiny li'l nom ...
What? You want me to get my tail wet?
So why do they do this?
It's unknown exactly why snow leopards enjoy biting their enormous, fluffy tails. Some theories are that biting their tails helps keep them warm in the harsh cold of their natural environments. Others suggest that it's simply a form of play behavior. Seeing as a snow leopard's tail can reach up to 40 inches in length (almost as long as their body), their tails are a quick and easy toy within reach!
Whether it's to keep their noses warm or simply a form of entertainment, these giant cats biting their own fluffy tails is bound to make your day.
Comments
Nico on April 20 2021 at 05:44AM
Naomi, they do not do this in the wild.
Biting their own tail is a sign of extreme boredom, in sneps, and mostly occurs with specimen in captivity, confined in too-small areas with too-little diversity and too-few things to do :(
JoAn on October 05 2019 at 06:54AM
Cute. Thanks for sharing. How did you know they were really snow leopards, when they were cleverly disguised with mustaches?
JoAn on October 05 2019 at 06:54AM
Cute. Thanks for sharing. How did you know they were really snow leopards, when they were cleverly disguised with mustaches?
Melissa on December 30 2018 at 10:21AM
Pretty sure the 7th photo is of an african leopard?
;)
Tisa on June 02 2018 at 08:22PM
So delightful to see these beautiful pictures. I had no idea they play so cute with their tails.😺
Naomi on June 02 2018 at 10:26AM
Do they do this in the wild? The pics all look captive