what is the purpose of a dog or cats tail. everything on the body has a purpose right? so what do thier tales do?
2006-12-14 07:49:57 · 30 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Cats
it helps them balance on land. And when they are swimming it acts like a rudder, helping them steer, or turn. Also the tail is a form of communication. When a dog wags its tail you know it is happy.
2006-12-14 07:55:10 · answer #1 · answered by chetzel 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Cats and dogs use their tails for communication. Nordic dogs use their tails to curl over their faces in winter, protecting their noses from frostbite and windburn, and warming the air before they breathe it in. Cats use their tails as rudders when they fall to help them twist and land on their feet. Both dogs and cats use their tails when running to help change directions. Both use them for balance, however they can function without as well. These are some of the still useful things tails do :)
2006-12-14 07:55:45 · answer #2 · answered by skachicah35 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Balance
2006-12-14 07:51:39 · answer #3 · answered by Monte T 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Balance
2006-12-14 07:51:17 · answer #4 · answered by Jules 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A cat's tail is useful in helping it balance, particularly in high places, or when running. It is instrumental in the process of allow a cat to land on its feet when it falls; it is also a general indicator of emotional state to other animals.
2006-12-14 08:02:37 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Balance.
Cats evolved from tens of millions of years ago and their probable habitat included hunting their prey from above ,among trees. They have to walk on 4 paws quietly , stealthily to stalk any prey , The tail can shift body weight from one side of the tree to the other, and its up in the air, Their paws do not have to fumble or scrape the branch they are on.
The only tailless variety is the Manx from the isle of man. Legend was that they were brought there on a shipwreck and they mated with rabbits, bu thats a different story.
2006-12-14 08:01:43 · answer #6 · answered by QuiteNewHere 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One theory is that they use them to assist during hunting. When they are stalking mice or other small prey they flick their tails in order to scare the prey into running which makes it easier for them to spot. Also I think they help the animal balance when they are running. I used to have a manx cat and she had a very interesting run.
2006-12-14 09:19:27 · answer #7 · answered by gerrifriend 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Cats have tails to keep their balance. It does not hurt them if the have no tail I have a friend who has a Bobtail and he does just find.
2006-12-14 07:57:15 · answer #8 · answered by Natalie G 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It does act as a kind of balance function.
But then some tails are so small (like a bear's) they seemingly have no real value
2006-12-14 07:52:34 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Tails are for balance.
2006-12-14 07:51:30 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋