Wild cats are considered to be one of the most formidable mammalian predators across the globe. Their opportunistic, stealthy style of hunting is a unique attribute that is relatively similar across all feline species. Besides lions, wild cats exhibit a solitary life; arguably one of the most interesting traits, as this requires each individual to perform to their best ability in order to survive. The most common responses when discussing what makes a feline successful would be strength, speed, and ferocity. Physically, they must be able to climb, jump, sneak, and sprint in order to catch their prey. While their claws, teeth, and strong bodies are key factors to this success, what about their tails?
Each species of feline has differing lengths and thickness of tail, all evolved perfectly to match that species needs and lifestyle niche. For example, a snow leopard has an extremely long and fluffy tail [up to 100 cm (nearly 40 inches)], which is believed to be for balance in mountainous terrains as well as added warmth against the cold weather. Bobcats and lynx on the other hand have essentially no tail [30 cm maximum (11 inches) for some species in the Lynx genus, while on average around 10-20 cm (4-8 inches)]. This is thought to be due to hunting small ground dwelling prey, where a tail could be disadvantageous against stealthiness.
Here at Cloudbridge, the most common feline species we encounter on the camera traps is the puma (Puma concolor), a tall and slender wild cat that has an extensive home range from the very northern parts of North America all the way down to the most southern point of Chile. Although not a true big cat (as it’s not in the Panthera genus), pumas stand tall at 76 cm (~2.5 ft) at the shoulder, and 100 cm long (bit larger than 3 ft) without the tail. Their tails are impressively long [74cm on average (2.5 ft)], around 1/2 of their body length. These tails play a crucial role in their overall lifestyle, as they are extremely quick and agile hunters, and the tail contributes towards balance while shifting their weight, as well as socially for communication during mating. So, why is there a puma at Cloudbridge that has no tail?
An adult, tailless female puma (named Ara) first made her debut at Cloudbridge in March of 2023, when she appeared on two separate trail cameras on two separate occasions, sparking curiosity on how she lost the tail. There are very few documentations of tailless, wild felids across the globe, making this discovery quite remarkable and that much more mysterious. While we may never truly know how she lost her tail, a probable cause could be being born without it, as her tail is nothing more than a nub. This discovery led research-intern Louise Ilott-Baudon and staff member Madelyn Peterson to submit a report to the scientific journal CatNews, a newsletter within the larger IUCN SSC Cat Specialist Group, which was recently published this month. Since her first appearance in March of 2023, Ara wasn’t seen again until recently in April 2024; an exciting prospect for her future survival and adaptability. Since then, we’ve seen her several more times throughout various trails in the reserve. To find out more about this phenomenon of a tailless wild cat, you can read the published report here.
Suggested Reading:
- Terrestrial animals aren’t the only ones who need a tail. Marine animals, like whales and dolphins, use their tail for a myriad of reasons; communication, swimming, and stability. Unlike fish whose tails move from side-to-side, whale and dolphin tails (among other mammals in the Cetacea infraorder) move up and down – most likely due to their pelvic bones being a similar shape to walking mammals.
- Certain animals have tails that behave as a fifth limb – prehensile tails! Think monkeys, opossums, kinkajous, certain mice, armadillos, even some snakes have incredibly adapted tails that act as a limb. They allow for an extra layer of coordination, as prehensile tails can wrap around trees, grab items, or be used for stability.
- Back in the day, apes, and even humans, used to have tails. There’s still uncertainty as to why we no longer do, but some have suggested that it’s due to a single, tailless mutation that began within the ape family, which was passed down over time and eventually became the norm. Can you imagine what your life may look like if you still had a tail?