What is a tail?
The tail plays an important role in the life of animals. What is the tail and why it is needed - you will learn from our article.
The tail is a part of the animal's body, by means of which it moves, communicates and gives different signals.
The role of the tail in the life of various animals
Squirrel
Among forest inhabitants, proteins are adapted to life on trees. With the help of a tail, they can jump from tree to tree without losing balance.
In addition, during the winter, proteins warm up whenThe help of the tail: they curl up into a ball, covered with a tail, like a blanket. The same use of the tail is used by snow leopards, foxes, arctic foxes and other animals.
A fox
Foxes use a tail like a rudder: he helps them turn in the right direction. In addition, the tail helps the cunning fox to run away from the dogs. During the pursuit they wave their tail in one direction, and run to the other, thereby knocking their hunters off the trail.
Beaver
Beavers use the tail as an oar - it helps them move around. In addition, using the tail, they catch their food.
When building a dam, the tail helps largerodents keep their balance and is a support. If the beaver notices the danger, it will force its tail against the water. This action will serve as a signal of alarm for his relatives.
Read the article How to Cook an Beaver.
A monkey
For the monkey, the tail is a vehicle between the trees. It can easily hang on a tree, holding only with the help of a tail and doing other actions.
Skunk
For this animal tail is a means of warning for enemies. He keeps his bright tail upright, thereby giving signs to the offenders that it is better not to mess with him.
Cow / horse
These animals, first of all, use the tail to drive off importunate insects. Zebras and lions also adhere to this function.
Crocodile
Predator uses its tail for hunting. With the help of a tail, it is capable of knocking down even a large animal.
Lizard
Reptiles are endowed with a tail drop functionin case of danger. When the enemy's teeth dig into the tail of the lizard, she dumps it for self-defense purposes. At what the dumped process can long twitch, thus distracting the predator from the lizard. Soon she has a new tail.
In addition to the functions of movement and protection, the tail is a tool when communicating animals.
For example, a dog in danger or discontentraises his tail with a pipe, and when he rejoices, he begins to wave them from side to side. In turn, the display of emotions in a cat with the tail is different: the tail lifted up means that the cat is happy, but if she wags her tail, then her something annoying.
For more details on the appointment of a cat and a dog's tail, see our articles
- Why does the dog have a tail
- Why does a cat have a tail
Tail in man
In the early periods of human fetal developmentan unformed little man is observed the presence of a small appendage - the tail. As a result of the growth of the body, the tail ceases to grow and turns into a bone, called the coccyx.
However, there are cases when the coccyx has grown more than its size and turned into a small tail. This phenomenon is called atavism.
If a child is born with atavism, the tail is removed by surgery.
