Most animals, regardless of their species, can boast of having a tail. Moreover, each species has certain features of the use of the tail, acquired over millions of years of evolution. But despite the differences in the appearance and behavior of the creatures, almost all of them have a fluffy tail covered with wool. Is this a mere coincidence or are the animals finding practical use for this?
Why do animals need a tail?
First you need to understand why animals in principle need a tail? In the case of fish, everything is clear - they use it for swimming, wagging them in different directions and starting from water flows. But the animals obviously use it for something else.
One of the main purposes of the tail is to maintain balance and coordination in space. When an animal moves at high speeds, it rotates its tail at a certain angle, shifting the balance of the body in the right direction. This allows you to not fall when moving. Also, limbs found use during jumping and free fall. For example, flying squirrel squirrel uses it as a rudder while in the air.
Interesting fact: Some creatures use the tail as a mount to prevent them from falling off the tree while sleeping. These include binturong. The beast tightly wraps its tail around the trunk and falls asleep.
Often, the tail is used by animals as a way to communicate and express their emotions.For example, experiencing joy, the dog wags them in different directions, and when frightened, it draws under it. Cats, sensing danger, raise their limbs up, trying to seem bigger and scare the enemy. And some animals that have the ability to stand on their hind legs can lean on it to maintain balance.
Interesting fact: foxes use tail to trick opponents. If a larger predator attacks its trail, the red-haired animal tries to hide from view, after which it literally sweeps its tracks with its tail. Having confused the predator, the fox makes a powerful jump to the side and runs away, while not forgetting to wield its tail on the ground.
Some animals are able to use the tail for safety. Beavers can inflict powerful blows on them, capable of knocking down even a person. Lemurs are able to lay in the tail fat, which is used to maintain life in dry times. And lizards can drop their tail and run away without it, leaving a limb in the hands of a predator.
Why do animals have fluffy tails?
In fact, the answer to this question is quite simple. The tail is covered with wool to protect against external factors. The long hairs of the coat, covering it with a thick layer, perfectly protect from the cold, keeping warm. And on hot days, they prevent sunlight from entering the skin.
For example, if a fox had a bald tail, then in the winter it caused a lot of problems. Since the fox does not use holes and sleeps right in the snowdrifts, she would have to think about its heating all the time.Moreover, foxes often cover their face during sleep, protecting their faces from snow and wind.
Do not forget that in the tail are the vertebrae, joints and soft tissues. In frosts, the coat protects them from frostbite and other negative consequences. In the heat, it blocks the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. In fact, the hair on the tail is literally a protective layer. Often, the coat on the tail matches the color and structure of the rest of the coat.
The tail of most animals is fluffy, since the wool acts as a protective layer. In cold weather, it warms the vertebrae and joints inside, and the animals themselves do not mind using the tail as a bedspread. On hot days, wool protects against the harmful effects of sunlight. Also, some animals deliberately dissolve the fur on it to appear larger when danger appears. And others use it as a broom, noting the traces left to hide from predators and send them along the wrong path.
