It looks like this small creature is playing a game, right? But when a baby ring-tailed lemur wraps its tail around or gives it a tug, it"s actually working on crucial skills. The infants spend their early weeks hanging tight to their mom, first clinging to her belly and later to her back. As they grow, they separate from their mom, and tail-chasing becomes part of how they learn balance, coordination and group play. These primates use their long tails for communication as well. Raised like flags during group movement, the tails help them stick together in open terrain. Loud, rhythmic calls, scent markings and "stink fights" between males add to the social drama.
Ring-tailed lemur
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
-
Badlands National Park, South Dakota, United States
-
Masterpiece of acoustic science
-
A kiss and a sigh
-
Shark Awareness Day
-
Vernazza, Cinque Terre, Liguria, Italy
-
Macaroni penguins, Drake Passage, Chile
-
Vila Franca Islet, São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal
-
Grandparents Day
-
Castle Square, Old Town, Warsaw, Poland
-
Oktoberfest begins
-
Golden cliffs of deep space
-
‘Night shining’ clouds
-
Stealthy pollinators
-
Gaztelugatxe islet at sunset, Basque Country, Spain
-
Japan Castle Day
-
An ugly duckling no more
-
The rivers run through us
-
Amphitheatre of El Jem, Tunisia
-
Hide-and-go-seek world champion
-
Say hello to these halophytes!
-
Yi Peng lantern festival, Chiang Mai, Thailand
-
Willamette National Forest, Oregon
-
Least chipmunk, Kootenai National Forest, Montana, United States
-
Blue hues and ceramic scenes of Porto
-
Trails leading to the gateway of nature.
-
Whats blooming so brightly?
-
Humpback whale, Disko Bay, Greenland
-
International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend
-
Pacific Rim National Park Reserve, Vancouver Island, British Columbia
-
Walking a rocky rainbow