ILLUSTRATES Marcos de Lima
Toilet paper
Ox, horse and camel
In quadrupedal and herbivorous animals, it is common for the tail to be brush-shaped, articulated and with leafy hairs at the end. It is used to protect and clean the anus and ward off flies. In the case of horses, it also indicates different types of emotions, such as that of the dog
ready to fight
Kangaroo
In the marsupial, the tail serves as a support for walking upright. Recent research has also found that it was instrumental in the evolution of the species, reducing the weight and size of the front legs. Muscular and long (up to 1.40 m), the tail also serves as a spring for a frontal kick
a fifth member
Spider monkey
The body of this mammal measures, on average, only 65 cm, but the tail alone reaches 90 cm. She is prehensile, that is, she can grab objects, food and tree branches. Its movement is so precise that it can hold anything from a banana to a small seed.
ostentation
Peacock
For most birds, the tail serves to provide stability in flight. However, in the peacock, it has been adapted to help them reproduce. Males have those ultra-colored feathers, which can reach up to 2 m in length. When opened in a fan shape, they help to attract the female.
You don’t catch me!
Rabbit
A Chinese and a Native American legend tells of a rabbit that cut off its fluffy tail to survive a danger. And they might be right. Research published in the journal Nature indicates that the color difference between the rabbit’s tail and body helps it to escape predators.
In peace and war
giant anteater
Despite the name, the tail of this animal does not give a flag, no. On the contrary: it serves to camouflage it at night. She bends over the animal’s body, hiding and protecting it from the cold. Males also use it to intimidate rivals by raising it over their bodies and walking in circles around them.
Watch out, Michael Phelps!
alligator and crocodile
They are two different reptiles, but they use their tail in a similar way. It’s useful both in defense (that’s why it’s thick, scaly, and bumpy) and in swimming (that’s why it’s flattened from the side). By flapping it like a flipper, some species can even propel themselves by leaping out of the water!
Hey human!
Puppy
This part of the body helps to hide or spread the scent produced by the glands near the anus, signaling the intention of mating. But it also developed a social function, communicating some of the animal’s emotions to their human counterparts.
Talk to the tail!
Cat
Anyone who has had a cat without a tail knows: they have more difficulty jumping and balancing on walls or furniture. And so, as with dogs, their proximity to humans encouraged the use of the tail for body communication.
READER QUESTION Denilson Fernandes, Botelhos, MG
Consultancy Dr. Simone Pontes Xavier Salles, professor of veterinary medicine at the University Center of Barra Mansa (UBM)