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Archive 2014 · Jaguar Tails; A mystery

DonGut
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Jaguar Tails; A mystery

I noticed that 3 of the first 4 jaguars I photographed were all missing the very tips of their tails. Each spent time licking them. It appeared that only the fur on the end was missing, with the raw flesh exposed. The animals did not have any other wounds or sores.
None of the experts had seen this previously. There were some wild theories about the etiology of this condition. I'm putting this out as an FYI and a request for an explanation, whether likely or completely fabricated.
Thanks for looking and any insights you might have.
Don


	© DonGut 2014

#1) Jorge, licking his tail.


	© DonGut 2014

#2) Bianca, the tip exposed.


	© DonGut 2014

#3) Sean, tail up.

Dec 01, 2014 at 01:15 AM

philshoots
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Jaguar Tails; A mystery

Alan Rabinowitz is your man. I'd suggest you contact him via Panthera -
http://www.panthera.org/people

Phil

Dec 01, 2014 at 06:11 AM

eyelaser
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Jaguar Tails; A mystery

I agree with Phil about Alan Rabinowitz. My theory is that it must be a parasite that leads to this and that the licking is a way to deal with it...very raspy tongues will eventually wear away the tip just as it can rip flesh from bone. I will be interested to hear another explanation. Great observation Don.
Eric

Dec 01, 2014 at 07:45 AM

surfnron
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Jaguar Tails; A mystery

I can't help Don, but I do like the shots ~ Ron

Dec 01, 2014 at 09:03 AM

DonGut
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Jaguar Tails; A mystery

philshoots wrote:
Alan Rabinowitz is your man. I'd suggest you contact him via Panthera -
http://www.panthera.org/people

Phil

Thanks Phil for the tip.
Don

Dec 01, 2014 at 09:09 AM

DonGut
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Jaguar Tails; A mystery

surfnron wrote:
I can't help Don, but I do like the shots ~ Ron

Thanks Ron for stopping by.
Don

Dec 01, 2014 at 09:10 AM

DonGut
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Jaguar Tails; A mystery

eyelaser wrote:
I agree with Phil about Alan Rabinowitz. My theory is that it must be a parasite that leads to this and that the licking is a way to deal with it...very raspy tongues will eventually wear away the tip just as it can rip flesh from bone. I will be interested to hear another explanation. Great observation Don.
Eric

Thanks Eric. I knew one of you "cat people" would have a theory. I was thinking along the line of your ideas Eric.
Don

Dec 01, 2014 at 09:13 AM

thehotel
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Jaguar Tails; A mystery

Nice captures but strange.

Wacky roger

Dec 01, 2014 at 09:21 AM

KCollett
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Jaguar Tails; A mystery

Excellent shots and good observation Don. Just licking the tail, that seems odd unless they were just temporarily dealing with a small physical injury. I hope someone comes up with a good answer for you.

Dec 01, 2014 at 09:35 AM

DonGut
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Jaguar Tails; A mystery

thehotel wrote:
Nice captures but strange.

Wacky roger

Thanks Wacky. It seems very "wacky" to me too.!!
Don

Dec 01, 2014 at 09:48 AM

DonGut
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Jaguar Tails; A mystery

KCollett wrote:
Excellent shots and good observation Don. Just licking the tail, that seems odd unless they were just temporarily dealing with a small physical injury. I hope someone comes up with a good answer for you.

Thanks Ken. I'll relay any info in future posts.
Don

Dec 01, 2014 at 09:49 AM

canon.eos30d
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Jaguar Tails; A mystery

Very nice shots, Don. I am interested to know the answer too

- Tam

Dec 01, 2014 at 09:50 AM

DonGut
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Jaguar Tails; A mystery

canon.eos30d wrote:
Very nice shots, Don. I am interested to know the answer too

- Tam

Thanks Tam. My people are on it!
Don

Dec 01, 2014 at 11:15 AM

morris
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Jaguar Tails; A mystery

The first and last are super images Don. As for the cat's tail, it was run over by a lawn mower :-}

Morris

Dec 01, 2014 at 07:32 PM

DonGut
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Jaguar Tails; A mystery

morris wrote:
The first and last are super images Don. As for the cat's tail, it was run over by a lawn mower :-}

Morris

Thanks Morris. That's as good a theory as many I've heard.
Don

Dec 01, 2014 at 07:50 PM

randysc
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Jaguar Tails; A mystery

No clue on the tails, but love the images

Dec 01, 2014 at 08:04 PM

BeeBalm
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Jaguar Tails; A mystery

That's very interesting Don.
Your first capture is a beauty!
BeeBalm

Dec 01, 2014 at 08:09 PM

Lilki
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Jaguar Tails; A mystery

Lovely kitty shots. As for the tails..mmm.. Mowgli the arsonist is up to his old tricks again? It's the Shere Khan fiasco all over again. Sorry, a little Jungle Book humor.

Dec 01, 2014 at 08:48 PM

eyelaser
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Jaguar Tails; A mystery

Don, I'll take this down but just to show a healthy tail from one of last year's jags.
Eric

Edited on Dec 02, 2014 at 07:50 AM · View previous versions

Dec 01, 2014 at 09:29 PM

birdied
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Jaguar Tails; A mystery

Wonderful shots Don. Do let us know if you find the answer . I would think with the licking,that it must bother them.

Birdie

Dec 01, 2014 at 10:40 PM

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