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Why does a dog wag its tail? Scientists have just shown that the main purpose is only one
Contrary to the saying, the tail does not control the dog at all. Scientists have confirmed that, unlike in other animals, in dogs the most important function of the tail is not related to coordinating movement.
What are animals’ tails used for? Generally, it was easier for them to survive in the environment in which they live. However, it can mean very different things.
How do animals use their tails?
Fish use their tails for swimming: chasing prey or escaping from a predator. Tyrannosaurs waved them from side to side to maintain balance while walking and running. Modern kangaroos use their tails to push off while walking, or — like legs — to fuel movement. For monkeys, they make it easier to latch onto branches. Peacocks spread their tails during mating to show the female that they are healthy and have excellent genes. Rattlesnakes have a rattle at the end of their tails, with the help of which they scare away potential enemies.
The squirrel’s tail helps it perform complex maneuvers in flight. Thus, when the animal jumps between trees, it can arrange its body to increase its carrying surface. When a squirrel falls to the ground, its long fluffy tail acts like a parachute.
