How do I change my spots mum? Jaguar cub gives rare black mother a playful bite during first public appearance

Spot the difference: Black jaguar Lolo plays with her two-month-old cub at Jordan zoo


They may not look related, but this is Lolo, a rare black jaguar playing happy families with her recently born cub.

And from the resigned look on Lolo's face it isn't the first time her lively youngster has tried to cut his teeth on her ear.

Jaguars are usually spotted, to help them blend in with jungle surroundings, but around 6 per cent have a condition known as melanism which means they are entirely black.

Lolo, originally from South America, was guiding her still unnamed cub through his first public appearance yesterday at the zoo in Yaduda, Jordan, where he was born.

Falah, his father, is kept separate to protect the youngster.

Adult jaguars have a powerful bite, but Lolo's cub is just two months old and his mother's ear was still intact when she shooed him gently away.


I want a bite: The playful cub gives his mother a pretend nip on the leg as they are shown to the public


I'm tailing you: The little cub followed his mother everywhere around their cage at the zoo in Yaduda

Jaguars are common across much of South America and can weigh up to 25 stone.
They are usually spotted, to help them blend in with jungle surroundings, but around six per cent of their population have a condition known as melanism, which means they are entirely black.

They have an extremely powerful bite and eat large prey including deer, tapirs and even anaconda snakes.


Get off: The female jaguar tumbles her cub to the floor as they play in the sunshine


Where are you off to? The cub bites his mother's ear affectionately and, right, follows her as she investigates her new surroundings



source: dailymail