Week 256 ( 18th – 24th July 2008 )
The cubs learn table manners and a chuff is not just a chuff
Once the cubs had started eating meat; and Cathay would allow them to feed at the same time; they often watched enraptured as she licked an area clean and removed the hair. Recently they were allowed to feed first and all her weeks of teaching by example bore fruit. JenB occupied himself licking the meat clean and his brother was pulling at the longer hairs; spitting them out in distaste; before settling down to eat; they haven’t as yet learnt not to stand on the food.
Earlier this week I noticed that the tigers had two distinctly different chuffs. The chuff they most frequently use has a soft puffing sound; this seems to be for general conversation. The other is a louder, low rumble ending on a puff and seems to be reserved for greeting one another. The male’s chuffs are also louder and more guttural than those of the females.