Lions are the only cats that have a tufted tail.

A tuft is a clump of hair at the end of the tail.

Both male and female lions have a tuft on the end of their tail.

In most lions, the tuft hides a hard spur (bony growth), separate from the last vertebra of the tail.

African Lion

Zoologists think the spur could be a remnant of tail claws found in ancient lion fossils.

African Lion

African Lion

African Lion

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM