What's the purpose of tails in animals?

1. 59

   WebbyAvatarposted 14 years ago

   Any idea?

   replyreport
   1. 75

      AEvansposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      I have never thought about the purpose in animals but on animals it is for balance just like whiskers on a cat.

      replyreport
2. 0

   cosetteposted 14 years ago

   
   
   great question! i never thought about it actually.
   
   hmm...
   
   i know some critters like monkeys use them to grab onto tree branches and whatnot.

   replyreport
3. 0

   Poppa Bluesposted 14 years ago

   They are for balance.

   replyreport
   1. 59

      WebbyAvatarposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      And, some animals really have short tail.

      replyreport
      1. 0

         Poppa Bluesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Yes it's a counter balance. If you think about it, it's no different than the way we use are arms and legs while playing sports.

         replyreport
   2. 59

      pddm67posted 14 years agoin reply to this

      That's what I've heard too

      replyreport
4. 0

   cosetteposted 14 years ago

   i have heard of elephants holding tails when they are walking, or is that just in cartoons?

   replyreport
   1. 0

      Poppa Bluesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      They're quite smart and can be trained to do many things. That behaviour is typical in circus elephants while they are being marched to the site.

      replyreport
      1. 0

         cosetteposted 14 years agoin reply to this

         oh. that's where i've seen that.
         
         rattlesnakes use their tails as a warning that they are about to strike.
         
         and like cats, bunnies use their whiskers to measure the size of a space they want to squeeze into. the only purpose i can see for their little cottontails is just to be cute

         replyreport
5. 54

   kmackey32posted 14 years ago

   To cover there butt whole. ha

   replyreport
   1. 61

      atilposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      Whiskers are for balance, tails? This is the correct answer!

      replyreport
      1. 54

         kmackey32posted 14 years agoin reply to this

         Everytime I try to be funny I am right.

         replyreport
6. 59

   kkavyaposted 14 years ago

   I saw i TV that " hippopotomos" gave warning to other hippos thats its his territory and he just spread his " pee" in all corners using his tail.

   replyreport
7. 0

   Poppa Bluesposted 14 years ago

   OKay I was omly partly right but here is a better explanation:
   
   http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-pur … nimals.htm

   replyreport
   1. 59

      WebbyAvatarposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      That explains much

      replyreport
8. 0

   Poppa Bluesposted 14 years ago

   What is doesn't explain is why guys are always chasing tail!

   replyreport
9. 54

   kmackey32posted 14 years ago

   The real answer is while some animals use there tails for balance, not all do. Some animals have tails so they can use them to hang from trees serving as an extra hand. Cows, zebras, an Elephans have tails to swat at annoying flys. Fish have tails for swimming. A lizard has a tail for defense.

   replyreport
   1. 0

      Poppa Bluesposted 14 years agoin reply to this

      That doesn't answer my question!

      replyreport
10. 66

    Lady Guinevereposted 14 years ago

    Cat Whiskers are for knowing how small an area they can get into.

    replyreport
    1. 75

       AEvansposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       Thanks for the info a friend of mine told me it was to keep balance and direction I didn't know that it was also for them to figure out how to fit into a small space, she also owns a cat.

       replyreport
11. 94

    Rochelle Frankposted 14 years ago

    Horses use them to swat flies.
    Dogs use them to signal happiness, excitement and anticipation.
    Some deer have black and white tails which make a good, visible signal for their youngsters to follow when they run.

    replyreport
12. 93

    habeeposted 14 years ago

    Some dogs, especially swimming breeds like the Portuguese Water Dog, use their tails as rudders when swimming.

    replyreport
13. 70

    blondepoetposted 14 years ago

    To keep their bottoms from hitting the ground.

    replyreport
    1. 64

       prettydarkhorseposted 14 years agoin reply to this

       LOL, so that they become sexy when they walk, and their butt swing too with a nice sway...

       replyreport
       1. 70

          blondepoetposted 14 years agoin reply to this

          Haha that's right.

          replyreport
14. 0

    ralwusposted 14 years ago

    Fly swatters! They don't wipe and dogs need them to wag as they smile.

    replyreport