Why do cats, dogs, mice, rats, monkeys etc have long tails?

Question

Hamsters and humans manage quite well without one. For humans it would be a real disadvantage on public transport in the rush hour!

Answer 1

Long tails are helpful for balance when running, jumping, and climbing. If an animal has a long tail, at least one of these activities is important for it.
Animals without tails don't do so much of these activities.
Of course a tail could get in the way in cramped quarters, so animals that don't need the extra balance are likely to do without them.
You notice that hamsters aren't good climbers, and can't jump without getting hurt.
In rats, the species rattus rattus has a longer tail than rattus norwegicus. Rattus rattus is a better climber and often lives in trees, including palm trees. Norwegicus is a good climber, but rattus rattus is better.
I have 2 cats one has a short tail, and one has a long tail; they are about the same size. The long tailed cat goes in and out the window with ease, but not the short tailed cat. The short tailed cat is a pretty good climber compared to a dog, but not as good as the average cat.
I used to have pet lizards, Chinese water dragons. One of them had a missing tail. It never grew back. This was a kind of handicap for a lizard. She could not jump or run as well as her cage mates. This led to lack of exercise for her. I used to make her swim in the tub, just for the exercise, and she was healthier because of it.

Answer 2

A better question might be how did the great apes lose their tails? (Great apes being gorillas, orangatans, humans, chimpanzees and bonobos) At some time in evolutionary history there must have been an advantage to having no tail. And, it was way before there was public transportation.

Answer 3

its for balance. when they stand on their hind legs it stops them from wobbling, so they can do what they need to do. monkeys also use their tail for climbing n swinging from tree to tree. i dont think dogs use their tails that mush, its to show you if theyre happy. some breeds of dog have their tails docked and causes them no problems at all. cats use their tails to show you their mood too, but they mainly are for balance. manx cats have adapted to having no tail. so not all animals use them, and they survive well enough without them. humans dont need a tail really, we have other ways of balancing ourselves. (i think our ears have something to do with that). i think we'd all look silly with tails, and theyd get in the way far too much! im not sure why hamsters dont have tails, all the other rodents have them.

Answer 4

cats
for balance on fences and things.
big cats, eg, cheetah- for balance while running after prey.
mice and rats
to use again for balance.
monkeys
usually used as an extra limb when in the treetops- useful when eating= hands free.
dogs
as a signal to others- to wag when they are happy and to put between their legs when they are sad/ scared.

Answer 5

To help them keep balance (Monkeys, Rats, mice and cats) for climbing tree's. Dogs.. I don't know

Answer 6

I know think of how many humans would have been killed or thier tails ripped of if we had long ones.

Answer 7

For balance

Answer 8

Some men think they have long tails.

Answer 9

to help them balance just like our big toe does for us they have different feet remember