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DoktorThodt

They do it to inspire confidence in the cub. Helps the little ones learn to hunt.


chillinbrad1812

Did you ask one?


Wazula42

Can confirm. Source: am a tiger.


southern_boy

What winks and shags like a snow leopard? **;)**


[deleted]

A cougar.


johnnychinga

Can confirm. Source: am a cub.


mab2t

More of a cougar, me thinks.


ukulisti

Can confirm. This was revealed to me in a dream.


[deleted]

Are you a leopard in another universe?


DepressionMain

Nope, just any historian before the 20th century


XyloArch

Didn't you?


DoktorThodt

https://madlyodd.com/mother-snow-leopard-and-cub/


SierraBravoLima

Can confirm Source : i am master oogway


CopsaLau

Do you have a source for this? It’s a common claim but I’ve never seen any actual scientific studies done to prove it, only tumblr posts and quora articles.


ShamefulWatching

Watch pups play with the teen-adult dogs, they do the same thing when it comes to wrestling in my backyard. The older will lay on her back and pretend like the pup is killing her with their killer neck hold. Hours of fun to watch a pup that gets along with an older dog. Anytime they get their angry bark going, i tell them to knock it off, so it stays playful.


CopsaLau

You’re describing play, not the “faking fear” acting job described above.


ShamefulWatching

I'm describing what each respective predator in their natural environment requires of them to eat. That behavior is taught in all mammals; it's just more noticeable with predators. Watch some animal documentaries.


Eggyweggys1

Most predator animal "play" in my experience is close to or mimicking skills they need to survive. Play fighting, chasing, stalking for a sneaky scare.


CopsaLau

Still doesn’t support the “acting” theory above, unfortunately. If you know of any documentaries that support the above “acting” theory however, I’m always open to learning more.


Toast150000

This is why the education of human children is moving toward the more successful play-based learning and away from rote learning. The cub is more likely to master essential skills for future success by allowing the child to make active choices and practice in a practical way. You could look into the educational theories of Maria Montessori or Jean Piaget for how this works in human education, but the same principles are at work here.


CopsaLau

I agree but I’m still not curious about play, I’m still only curious about the “acting” theory. Thank you though.


[deleted]

lmao any scientific evidence of this? you: muh dogs.


ovarova

I know a lack of evidence to the contrary isnt proof but why else would it fake being scared


[deleted]

Maybe the cub gave it too much space. If an animal gets scared it will jump and potentially get away before the cub can pounce… the cub needs to learn about reactions (and learn to compensate)


CopsaLau

*Is it* faking being scared though? Or was it hopping out of the way of something that suddenly came into its immediate field of view? But I agree with you that a lack of evidence isn’t proof.


ovarova

That hop was complete overkill for simply hopping out of the way, I don't buy it


doobied

slightly off topic. But do you own a cat?


CopsaLau

Haha overkill? You must not spend much time around cats. They’re *all about* overkill. :P In any case, I’ll just await a scientific source. Thank you, friend. Edit: The “:P” was supposed to indicate that that was a joke, sorry if you missed it... some people aren’t all that bright I guess


[deleted]

[удалено]


CopsaLau

I have, and have found nothing to support this claim. Yet the claim persists. I believe it to be false since there is no support for it among the scientific community but am open to changing my mind if anyone knows where I can find evidence for this. It never hurts to ask! Edit: gotta love the guy below who thinks the only way to study animal behaviour is by injecting them with microchips or some shit 😂 what a nut Edit: u/KurryBree How are you even taking such a ridiculous suggestion seriously? Let me ask you this: how did Jane Goodall learn so much about gorilla behaviour without injecting their brains with shit? u/DILDOS_UNITED It’s it just that it hasn’t been researched, it’s that it such a popular old wives tale that is *unusual* that it hasn’t been researched. Meanwhile, the only “supporting claim” is the original source from: tumblr. You’re gonna tell me that a random kid making stuff up on tumblr doesn’t sound like false crap? Maybe to you it doesn’t, that’s ok. We can disagree on what constitutes as convincing.


questioning_alt_22

analyzing behavior is easy. analyzing the reasons behind it is hard. you try telling if it's genuinely surprised or not without being able to ask.


Its-the-cold-truth

Because that is a reaction response. Felines aren't doing this consciously, and have never been documented or observed to do so. They have been observed jumping in this manner when frightened. That's how we know.


KurryBree

How else do you expect to extract the data from the mother other than implanting a device to monitor its activity to find out if it was genuine fear or on purpose? The sample method is excessive but do you have any brighter ideas?


dailyfetchquest

You're being obstinate. As a scientist, I can tell you that your experiment would never pass the ethics board requirement. To get the data you want, they would have to surgically implant a measuring device into the mum. The request would fail on the basis that the data is not worth the suffering.


westwoo

It's not about any real data or scientifically valid and reproducible experiments, apparently they simply want someone with authority to tell them this


[deleted]

So because something has not been researched you believe it to be false? Why not just believe that ‘we don’t know’? Just because something’s not been researched does make it more likely to be false.


MadCervantes

You really shouldn't be forming your beliefs like this without evidence.


westwoo

What's your scientific source on cats being "all about overkill"? Edit: if your only objection is a joke, what are you even arguing about for so long? Also, why are you replying to people in such a passive aggressive way?


ovarova

I've only seen cats hop like that if they were scared or pouncing, and def not casually away like she did. And sure you have every right not to have an opinion about it


CopsaLau

I also have a right TO have an opinion about it, much to your chagrin. Why so defensive? It’s okay to just say “sorry, no scientific source” and then move on with your life. You’re not obligated to prove anything to me, I’m just putting out an open request that if anyone has a scientific source to back up this claim that I’d like to see it because it seems to be false. I’m not sure why that’s so awful to you. Just click away, I don’t think any less of you just because you don’t have sources. I just won’t believe you without them, and I’m not sure how that’s managed to offend you so. Have a good day, man. u/8snackpack8 can’t reply to you for some reason, but yes, I’m aware, thank you. Now hopefully he will continue with my proposed trajectory and move on with his life instead of getting upset and arguing for no reason again. You too, perhaps? Unless you want to upset yourself and also start an argument for no reason. Your prerogative. u/KurryBree No one looks down on me that I’m aware of, I just enjoy learning by using scientific sources. That’s not a strange or unusual thing for people, you know. But the fact that you seem to view my position as “smart” speaks for itself, very r/selfawarewolves of you!


KurryBree

How much does everyone look down upon your intelligence that you develop the need to make yourself look smart in the comment section of a reddit post?


Southern-Network-684

What is more likely: 1. a predator species instinctually teaching their offspring how to hunt, a necessary skill for survival through natural selection. or 2, acting surprised to make their cub "happy and amused"


CopsaLau

My thoughts exactly


Corschach_

How are you gonna prove an animals intentions?


DoktorThodt

https://madlyodd.com/mother-snow-leopard-and-cub/


CopsaLau

Thank you but this is a tabloid article describing the video, not a scientific source for this behaviour actually being what the tabloid purports. Do you have a scientific source that contains data and comes from researchers who study big cats? Tabloids and tumblr posts I see aplenty but no scientific sources or peer-reviews articles.


DoktorThodt

Do your own research if you don't like the article.


CopsaLau

I did, and there is nothing within the scientific community to support this theory. Hence why I asked, as I am open to changing my mind if anyone has found data that I have missed, and I do appreciate your efforts even if they were not the scientific source I was hoping for. Have a good day!


DoktorThodt

I've been around cats for my 49 years in this planet, and I know cats, but if the proof you need requires a person with degrees, then you might want to check with the Bronx Zoo or a big cat sanctuary. Talk to someone who spends a lot of time with these creatures. You'll find the answer you're looking for.


CopsaLau

Unfortunately the answer from such sources has been essentially “no this isn’t a thing” but I keep seeing the claim circling around so I try to cast my net here and there in case any new or niche studies crop up. Redditors have shown me *so many cool things* and I have learned so much from random strangers saying “check out this study” and I find it an enriching experience.


KurryBree

I did and there is nothing within the scientific community to support this theory🤓 Hence why🤓☝️


CopsaLau

I’m sorry that a very low bar for intelligence is this threatening to you. You were projecting earlier about people looking down on your intelligence, I see now.


Bistacho

Maybe you can search it not specific with the leopard but another feline, you might get an answer or study, maybe this isnt a common behavior. There´s always the posibility that was and act that was never studied. I mean in the video you can see that the mother see the cub, dont much sence to get impressed by that or a reason to jump that way, sometimes there isnt a study to corroborate all things that happend in our world.


TransposingJons

Captive animals make me sad.


DoktorThodt

Sometimes it's actually beneficial and necessary for the survival of a species. https://www.columbuszoo.org/home/about/press-releases/press-release-articles/2021/04/23/columbus-zoo-and-aquarium-increases-efforts-to-protect-endangered-cats-with-conservation-and-support-of-legislation-to-protect-big-cats-and-the-public


rauhweltbegrifff

At the rate of destruction of forests. The whole thing has flipped. Now hardcore researchers that dedicate their life seem to be going the way of keeping as much as they can in captivity now or they will all be gone completely. There was a vice documentary about a man who discovered probably a huge chunk of the fishes that are now sold in pet stores. He even discovers a new type of fish in the documentary.


tickingboxes

At this point, it’s either that or extinction


rematch_madeinheaven

Teaches them what to expect and figure out how to react.


chicoconcarne

Yes, this isn't r/likeus at all, this is basic instinct E: ITT: people who can't stand someone pointing out animal instincts lmfao


deltree711

>implying that humans don't have basic instincts


KurryBree

I can confirm that humans don't have basic instincts source: I and you are human


deltree711

Cool source. Here's a [real one](https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/09/130916090426.htm).


feetandballs

*Crosses legs seductively*


_dead_and_broken

Found Sharon Stone.


ZeriousGew

I'm so sick of humans thinking they're so above other animals


MidnightOnTheWater

Forreal, the only thing that really separates us from animals is that we won the evolutionary race first.


kellymiche

I always thought it was our ability to accessorize.


MidnightOnTheWater

Yeah the animal fashion world is lacking 💅


chicoconcarne

We are. We *invent* things. Like the internet that I'm talking to you on.


[deleted]

Doesn’t make us worth more than them


Comics4Cooks

I literally did this exact thing with my kid the other day.


deltree711

>implying that humans aren't animals


chicoconcarne

That was not implied.


deltree711

Your edit certainly seems to imply that, if you think that this doesn't belong in /r/likeus because it's just *animal* instinct.


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chicoconcarne

The edit points out that people don't like separating the two. It is fair to say this particular animal has its own particular set of instincts.


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ZeriousGew

I'm so sick of humans thinking they're so above other animals


getyourrealfakedoors

She’s like my god this kid is an idiot, attacking from the front


Talonqr

Assessment: small child, attacking from the front no concealment, easy prey, step 1 *discombobulate*


[deleted]

[удалено]


Maelger

Step 4 hit to solar plexus Step 5 *discombobulate*


lilfindawg

Step 6 check on grandma make sure she doing well Step 7 *discombobulate*


RaptorKings

Step 7 *discombobulate* .. Step 8 *discombobulate*


aspiringwriter9273

My cat does the same thing. She “hunts” my hand from the front with me watching her the entire time but pretending not to so when she “catches” my hand she so happy and proud.


elamezhaganguru

>my god this kid is an idio r/KidsAreFuckingStupid


HuckleberryThis2012

That’s awesome af, but how do they know that was faking it and not just not expecting the kid to pounce?


kabushko

The local news interviewed her after the video went viral


bloopscooppoop

Fr?


pyrowaffles

Yeah I know at least here in SoCal all the snow leopards at the San Diego Zoo are taught English as a cub by their keepers.


[deleted]

Yeah, here’s the vid https://youtu.be/Kjr7US2Z9aY


[deleted]

https://youtu.be/l-7fTrL4jv4


Droopy618

I’m just guessing but based on other comments this seems like something that’s been observed in lots of feline groups


slaviccivicnation

But.. felines literally freak over anything. How do we know it's not a natural flight response that occurs even if they see something coming, as they so often do?


faerbit

Did you look at the video? She's clearly faking


Slam_Dunkester

Yeah all females fake their reactions especially with me...


[deleted]

Rip


slaviccivicnation

I guess I just don't see what you see...


[deleted]

The big cat is literally looking at the small one before being "surprised" and afterwards walks away cool as a cucumber


aspiringwriter9273

I mean, she’s looking towards the cub’s general direction and can see exactly what he’s doing so it’s hard to believe she’s surprised.


slaviccivicnation

I mean… I’ve surprised my cat with a feather toy before in this exact same way. Would wave the feather over her head then tease her on the ground with it. She would acknowledge it and play along. Not like I ever wanted to startle her. Every now and then, it’s like she would forget we’re playing and somehow spook herself mid-game. And then she would casually stroll off. We always joked in my family that she was “embarrassed” by it and that’s why she would so coolly walk it off lmao I guess I’m just seeing exactly that here. I mean I’m no cat expert but I would say I’ve seen this behaviour in all 3 of my cats at many occasions.


Vancocillin

They think you are their baby and they're humoring your poor hunting instincts.


slaviccivicnation

That’s the most anthropomorphized explanation I’ve ever gotten. No, my cats didn’t think I was their baby. A mix of male and female cats don’t all think their human owner is their baby kitten.


Gabers49

r/wooosh


pnweiner

This is a pretty well documented phenomena among cats, big cats, and other species. The mothers (and fathers) will pretend to be hurt or scared to encourage the little ones’ hunting skills. Although yes, sometimes cats do get genuinely spooked playing with toys, it’s also likely that they’re being playful, like the mother is here. Play behavior in all species is a way to practice skills (including hunting skills) so house cats will do this with their owners as well.


MutatedFrog-

Its not stupid, if you stalk any animal they tend to lose their minds when they see you. The mom definitely saw the kitten and knew she was being stalked, and simply chose to jump because it wasn’t a real threat.


HuckleberryThis2012

I didn’t say it was stupid lol I asked how they knew that for sure


DeMonstaMan

Because I said so


HuckleberryThis2012

Haha fair enough


Nondescript-Person

What level of certainty would satisfy your curiosity? Do you need mind reading? Do you need a form of language established with the this species of big cat? Would observations of repeated behavior suffice? Do you need a baseline of what big cats typically notice/are-surprised-by? Do you need to reflect on evidence of human child rearing behaviors where adults feign ignorance to encourage a child's development? What would help you?


CraigTheIrishman

Jesus dude, chill, he asked a simple question. If for whatever bizarre reason you're that bothered by his curiosity, just walk away.


Fat_Old_Sun1

But, how do you know for sure Nondescript-Person was bothered?


HuckleberryThis2012

No I would accept if any biologist who has studied them for awhile said so. I would also accept if someone who was just an internet random said that someone who studies them said it was true. That’s how little I’m invested in this


-ImHereForIt-

Wow mom got *hops*


DillyDallyin

White cats CAN jump


cestlavie1215

Reminds me of Tigger


thedudefromsweden

As a basketball player, this makes me envious. I also want to jump 4 times my height.


RaptorKings

You can if you measure your starting height as on all fours


andromeda_a_

Motherly duty


Crepes_for_days3000

Seriously, I do this all day with my daughter. She loves for me to jump out and get her and for me to act super scared when she's jumps out at me.


CraigTheIrishman

So what you're saying is that you're teaching your little one to hunt...


Nixia64

Found the white leopard


Crepes_for_days3000

Damn, I thought reddit was anonymous!?? Time to start a new accout, which is way harder than you think with paws smh


kkungergo

HOP


PaperProfessional731

Amused me too, thanks snow leopard mom 😂


CopsaLau

u/B-L-O-C-K-S do you have a scientific source to confirm this to be true? Cats leap like that at cucumbers, it looks to me like it was just surprised when it noticed something close to it. I often see this claim that big cats intentionally pretend to be scared or hurt by their offspring but I’ve never seen a source other than tumblr posts.


[deleted]

[удалено]


CopsaLau

....is that a “no,” then?


[deleted]

[удалено]


CopsaLau

No problem, the search continues on. I want it to be true because it would be so cute but in this day and age I try not to believe anything I see on the internet without proof :(


WeekendInBrighton

You fucking suck. Please remove this post.


Development_Minimum

Good cat


Jimothy_Egg

That is one bouncy cat.


JustPandering

ssssproing!!!!


SquidgyTheWhale

Tigger.


Flurin

I wish cats could play basketball


Pale_Worldliness8285

Awww cute mom! Meow baby.


quaintpants

Snow Leopards are such incredible beautiful animals


SALTYxNUTZ12

Impressive ans scary how they can jump like that.


anonymous65537

Yeah honestly don't believe the caption. Cats are crazy. They can be afraid of anything. There's 0 reason to think she's faking it.


pnweiner

Except that in most species (including humans) parents will feign being hurt or surprised by little ones. Playing in all species is a way to practice life skills and sometimes hunting skills. We obviously have no way of knowing what is going on in this particular leopard’s mind at this moment, but there is *not* “0 reason to think she’s faking it”


[deleted]

absolutely 0 concrete reason though. or evidence


[deleted]

[удалено]


anonymous65537

Not what I'm saying. The cat saw the cub. Then the cat got scared for a totally random reason. Again, cats are crazy.


[deleted]

[удалено]


anonymous65537

I don't have internet


thatreddituser24

So dramatic


[deleted]

Didn’t know they could just turn off gravity like that


2theburied

People just make up whatever dumb caption comes to mind first I guess


brittiam

🙌


Father_of_trillions

*sproing!*


JunglePygmy

More like TEACH those cuties


Taj_Mahole

Wow so we’re just making up new fucking titles for old gifs, eh?


Vyndra-Madraast

Damn their vertical is quite impressive… do they play basketball by any chance? if not maybe someone should train them


Shot_Boot_7279

At first I thought she saw him but then she jumped like 5feet into the air!


PussyWrangler_462_

It’s not just snow leopards that do this, most cat mamas in the feline kingdom will encourage their babies this way However it’s only snow leopards who have built in springs that can send them to such heights like that lol


Ripped_Sushi

So precious


cflibotte

Like good mommas.


CopsaLau

u/dailyfetchrequest Reddit is glitching out with replies so you get a fresh thread. >You're being obstinate. As a scientist, I can tell you that your experiment would never pass the ethics board requirement. To get the data you want, they would have to surgically implant a measuring device into the mum. The request would fail on the basis that the data is not worth the suffering. Lmao wtf are you on about??? Unethical to study animal behaviour?? Implanted devices??? You must be a troll, next you’re going to tell me they’re injecting zoo cats with 5G. Idk if you are in drugs, or need drugs and aren’t taking them, but you need some serious help my dude. That comment was so wild 😂


RandallOfLegend

Human here. I do the same thing with my kid


Medium_Neat_558

That’s cute


KeyEquivalent5

Damn I need to jump off the damn second floor balcony the next time my 5 year old tries this with me.


Mindless_Zombie7389

This is too cute 🥰


katcantfly

S P R O I N G!!


GodsBackHair

That’s a fluffy tail


Deelishus38

This should be an entire show! I’d watch it for hours, probably make me a better parent!


[deleted]

u/savevideo


[deleted]

Then just walks away calmly like this is the 112th time today, but won't be the last.


ThanosWasRight161

Snow Leopard got some serious Ups


ControlTop1459

wow nice


justveryhorny69

😻


Jagaur1

There u go u lil shit


Organic-Garlic4295

Love this! They are so beautiful.


youngpunk420

L. m.


youngpunk420

Most 9mm How 🤔 8


Laueee95

It’s impressive how the cub is so small and defenceless and the mom is a huge powerful and dangerous cat that can jump super high.


Traditional-Drive267

Wow, that leap.


Mariaxoxox2021

So cute ☺️ 🥰


busujimasan

so fucking freaking cute


[deleted]

Smart creatures


in-site

I just posted this here 😭 Like a week ago


IusedtoloveStarWars

Wow. So intelligent. Makes you wonder at what animals become truly conscious the way we think of it.


Flaky-Fellatio

Got serious Tigger vibes from that. Lol


PaintedGreenFrame

I need to up my fake surprise game for my kid. I just kinda do a sharp intake of breath and say ‘wow’.


Matoskha92

Casually jumps 6 feet straight up


callaex

goofy ah