Did you know that every person once had a tail? Our tails grow in utero at the age of 31 to 35 days, but then our tails regress and grow together with the vertebrae. The place where our tail grows together is called the coccyx or coccyx. Unfortunately, we fail to hold onto the tails, which is unfortunate when you stop and contemplate all the incredible functions that tails have in the animal kingdom.
Tails come in all shapes and sizes, from tiny tails that have little to no function to massive tails half the size of an animal’s body. Animals use their tail for a variety of reasons, depending on specific evolutionary adaptations. The role of the tail varies from animal to animal, and while some tails have evolved for different purposes, others have evolved for a specific reason. In this article, we will discuss some of the basic functions of tails and provide specific examples of how animals use their tails in the wild.
Why do animals have tails?
With so many types of tails, it is impossible to tell exactly how many functions the tails perform. While some tails have clearly evolved to fulfill a specific task or biological need, the motivation for the presence of other tails remains uncertain. Broadly speaking, tails have six main functions. While there are different functions, these six reasons are the most common and widespread. The functions of the tails include balance, protection, navigation, companionship, warmth, or nourishment as part of mating rituals, as well as to mark territory.
For balance
One of the most common reasons terrestrial animals have tails is because tails help animals balance. In these animals, the tail acts as a kind of counterweight, allowing them to balance in precarious positions or move quickly and efficiently over rough terrain. For example, cats have developed a tail that helps them maintain balance when walking on thin or uneven ground. In addition, their tails help them balance when running or jumping onto prey. Likewise, a kangaroo uses its tail to counterbalance high-speed jumping. Finally, squirrels use their fluffy tails for balance when jumping from tree to tree. Under these conditions, the animal’s tail helps them in movement. While not important for navigation, a tail that has evolved for balance can mean the difference between a predator chasing its prey or prey fleeing from a predator.
As a form of protection
Another main reason why animals have a tail has to do with the role of the tail as a form of defense. Animals that use their tails for protection have developed ways to manipulate their tails to confuse, distract, or scare off predators. For example, the tails of rattlesnakes are designed to help warn predators from getting too close. Their tails make a rattling sound when keratin plates rub against each other, hence the name “rattlesnake”. Meanwhile, some species of lizards, such as green iguanas and bearded dragons, can rip off their tails to distract predators. Lizards will discard their tails and hope that a predator will chase their tail as a snack so that the lizard can escape quickly and easily.
Other animals adhere to the saying that “the best form of defense is a good attack.” These animals use their tails as weapons to scare off predators and fend off potential attackers. We are talking about the tail of a stingray, which contains from one to three poisonous barbs. Stingrays rarely use their tail to attack prey, but whip out their tail to scare off predators that come too close. Another animal whose tail has offensive abilities is the porcupine. Porcupines rely on hundreds of sharp needles covering their bodies and tails to ward off nosy predators.
To help them navigate
For many animals, the tail serves as the primary means of navigation or as an aid to facilitate navigation. Animals that use tails to navigate do so because they have adapted to certain conditions in which movement without a tail would be difficult. One of the most obvious examples of animals using tails for navigation is fish. Most fish use their tails to navigate the water. They generate force by swinging their tails from side to side and amplifying torques and twists to change their direction.
Monkeys are considered to be another group of animals that use their tails to help them navigate. Some monkeys use their tails to grab onto tree branches, allowing them to move quickly through the forest canopy and avoid predators on the ground. Tails that have evolved to grab and hold objects are called prehensile tails and are one of the reasons monkeys have a reputation for being agile and agile.
As a means of communication
Some animals also use their tail as a means of social communication. These animals use their tails to send simple signals to friends or enemies, such as warning allies of impending dangers or transmitting emotions. For example, some species of deer blink the white underside of their tail as a warning indicating a potential hazard. Likewise, beavers flap their tails in the water as a basic alarm when they detect the presence of predators. In addition, every dog owner knows that a dog’s tail can say a lot about his emotional state. A wagging tail usually means the dog is excited or happy, while a drooping tail can mean that the dog is upset or upset.
For warmth or power
Sometimes animals also use their tails as a way to ward off the elements. These animals have adapted traits that allow them to use their tails to keep warm in cold weather. One example is the fox, which wraps its bushy tail around its body like a kind of blanket. Other examples include coyotes, which curl up next to their tail on cold nights to keep warm. Meanwhile, some use their tails as a food source. Alligators will accumulate fat in their tail, which they use in the winter during lean months. Therefore, a fat-tailed alligator is a sign of a healthy, well-fed alligator.
As part of a mating ritual or to mark territory
On rare occasions, animals include a tail in their mating rituals. These animals have probably adapted to growing tails to differentiate them from potential competitors for breeding opportunities. One of the best examples concerns certain species of birds, such as the bird of paradise. Males develop beautiful and intricate tail feathers, which they weigh neatly back and forth to attract females. On the other hand, some animals use their tails to signal to other males that their presence is undesirable. The male hippopotamus manipulates its tail like a propeller to hurl its feces over a wide area so other males know they are not welcome.
Frequently Asked Questions About Why Animals Have Tails
Which animals have the longest tails?
Among land animals, giraffes have the longest tail, which is about 8 feet in length. Meanwhile, blue whales have the largest tail of all animals, which can reach 25 feet in length.
Why do some animals wag their tails?
Animals can flap their tails for many reasons. Sometimes animals wag their tails to scare off flies. At other times, they may flap their tails to convey emotion, spread pheromones, or alert potential predators.