What for to a cat a tail? What is the significance of the tail for a cat?

Cats are considered to be one of the most common pets. Since ancient times, they accompany a man, guarding his dwelling from rodents and bringing him peace and a good mood. Despite this, cats were and remain one of the most mysterious pets. After all, even after living many years in the neighborhood with your pet, a person can tell about him and his habits is not so much. For example, not every professional breeder, not to mention a simple inhabitant, clearly represents why a cat has a mustache and tail and how it uses these organs.

Beauty and charm

For most owners, these qualities are decisive when choosing a domestic cat. More and more animals are used to combat rodents and are increasingly perceived as living toys. But even if the kitten was born and raised in ideal conditions, in the third generation did not see the street and never needed anything, the instincts of the wild beast in it will still wake up, at least occasionally.

It is for this reason that home fuzzy dogs sometimes grieve their owners with small pranks, tearing up soft toys, scratching wallpaper or jumping on the curtains. This happens even with the most thoroughbred individuals. After all, no matter how sweet, affectionate and good-natured the kitten was, it is primarily a predator. And only then - a universal favorite, a living toy or a sofa in the living room.

And all the same, why is it needed?

The value of the tail for a cat as for a hunter living in the wild, it is difficult to overestimate. This organ is used by the beast in completely different ways, depending on the circumstances and the situation. It is well known that looking at the cat's tail, it is easy to understand in what mood the owner is, what is on his mind and what actions he intends to take in the near future. That is, this part of the body is considered as a mood indicator.

But it turns out that this is not all functions. During the fight for territory, the female or something else, the cats often find out the relationship with the help of sounds and their own body, including the tail. Before the real struggle comes not often. As a rule, the one who wins the back or the fluffier tail is the winner.

And the tail allows the animal to navigate in the dark in space (in conjunction with the mustache) and balance during jumping, climbing trees or fences.

Tail and cat's spirits

According to ethologists, cats never hide their thoughts and attitudes towards what is happening. And to understand what the animal is thinking and how it reacts, it is necessary to look closely at it. That's why a cat has a tail - to explain to others its intentions, moods or well-being.

So, if the animal is comfortable, it rests or just sits, feeling safety, then this body will lie straight, without movement, or twist its paws. Raising his tail vertically upwards (or slightly arched, like a question mark), the cat demonstrates its friendliness. Thus, she lets people or other animals understand that she is happy to see them.

Quite often you can see a picture, when the cat, it would seem, was going about its business, but suddenly stopped, as if thinking. If the tail tip is slightly twitching, the animal saw or heard something interesting and tries to understand what is happening, showing its interest.

However, this behavior when stroking the hair should alert the person. Especially if all attention is drawn to the hand. The cat is not angry, but believes that they are flirting with her, so she can respond with teeth or claws.

Playfulness or sexual arousal animals also show the tail, smoothly moving the entire limb. And the more amplitude and persistence, the stronger it is. However, sharp jerks do not occur.

When an animal is angry or irritated, it immediately becomes clear why a cat needs a tail. He starts to twitch from side to side, his whole appearance showing nervousness. If the cat is furious, the tail swells and hangs sideways. In this case, the animal archs its back and can growl or hiss, trying to drive away the enemy. From an animal in this position it is better to stay away.

Balancing

Cats perfectly climb trees, jump and successfully fall from a decent height. Maneuvering during the flight with the whole body and especially the tail, the animal always lands on its paws. Due to this feature, falling from the 2nd, 3rd or even 5th floor often ends with nothing more than a slight fright. That's why the cat has a tail - to jump far and successfully land. Moving on a thin branch or board and balancing it, the animal perfectly keeps balance. But this does not mean that a cat without a tail will not be able to jump far or be sure to break at a fall. In some breeds, this organ is very short or nonexistent. It happens that the cat loses it as a result of trauma or other circumstances. Over time, the animal adapts and continues, albeit not so comfortable, but quite a full life.

On the hunt

Watching the animal chasing the prey, you can immediately understand why the cat has a tail. It is with his help that she can dramatically change the trajectory and catch the target. During hunting or chasing cats often use the tail as a helm, which makes it possible to perform sharp maneuvers, without reducing speed, let alone jumping.

This technique is also used by larger representatives of fauna in the wild. Large cats (leopards, cheetahs, tigers) have tails much longer and stronger than ordinary pets. And they use them in full force, controlling their body in pursuit of prey and with protracted complex jumps.

Both a fan and a blanket

In addition to balancing and communication, there are other (less noticeable) uses for the cat's own tail. In the summer heat, for example, you can see how an animal, stretched out in the shade, slightly shakes it over its own body. Thus, the cat tries to cool, moving the streams of air and creating a semblance of wind (on the principle of fan).

If the room is cold, the animal folds into a ball, trying to minimize heat transfer. In this case, the tail often wraps around the body and covers the muzzle. It turns out that the animal uses the heat of its own wool on the principle of a blanket, covering the frozen areas (nose, paws).

It turns out that the question "why does the cat have a tail" does not have an unambiguous answer. It is not just a beautiful, but also an extremely important organ, serving as a means of communication and balance, a fan and a blanket, and sometimes even a toy for the young. Knowing exactly how the animal uses it, and understanding what it wants to say by this or that movement, the owner can significantly improve his relationship with the pet.