Photo by @mattiasklumofficial Leopards, just like house cats, spend a considerable amount of time licking their fur to keep it clean. The tongue of this top predator (and many other species ) has tiny backwards-facing barbs which are called papillae. These contain keratin which makes them quite rigid so the papillae act like a hairbrush. Go to @mattiasklumofficial to see an equally gorgeous leopard that I photographed in Tanzania’s Selous Game Reserve. Leopards are amazingly graceful and powerful big cats closely related to lions, tigers, and jaguars. You’ll find them in sub-Saharan Africa, northeast Africa, Central Asia, India, and China. However, many of their populations are endangered, especially outside of Africa. I photographed this female leopard grooming herself in wonderful Mombo Camp, Botswana. #leopard #grooming #endangered #cat #pattern #instagood #photooftheday #conservation #safebigcats #mattiasklum #follow #botswana #mombocamp @natgeocreative @bigworldsmallplanet @natgeo by natgeo http://bit.ly/1Wuzej9 – Gatlinburg Garden Castle Rainbow Tower Library Imagination Station Temple Water Spirit Guardian Labyrinth Treasury Magic Healing