Happy and Safe

Tiger from Dubbo Zoo, Australia. Tigers cannot purr. To show happiness, tigers squint or close their eyes. This is because losing vision lowers... more

by Miroslava Jurcik

Title

Happy and Safe

Artist

Miroslava Jurcik

Medium

Photograph

Description

Tiger from Dubbo Zoo, Australia. Tigers cannot purr. To show happiness, tigers squint or close their eyes. This is because losing vision lowers defense, so tigers (and many other cats) only purposefully do so when they feel comfortable and safe.
The tiger’s sense of smell is one of the few that does not contribute to its success in terms of hunting. In fact, it is used sparingly and rarely in hunting, and is favoured as part of the personal interactions of these wild cats
The tiger will smell its peer while wrinkling its nose and letting its tongue hang out. This facial expression is called flehmen. It allows for the scent to enter the mouth and be drawn into the Jacobson’s organ, which resembles a pouch behind the front incisors. This organ has two tiny openings which then steer the air being inhaled to sensitive nerve structures within. These nerves transmit the odour messages to the brain. This chemical process is a fascinating one. The flehmen grimace has become a trademark of these wild cats, and can make tigers appear as if they are snarling.

Uploaded

November 3rd, 2014