Information AboutTail |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT TAIL | |
| animal anatomy | |
| dinosaur anatomy | |
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A tail is the section at the rear end of an animal's body, the term particularly referring to such a section which forms a distinct, flexible appendage to the Torso . It is the part of the body that roughly corresponds to the Sacrum and Coccyx in Mammal s and Bird s. FUNCTION Tails perform various functions in different animals, and have evolved to fit those functions. Perhaps the oldest tails are those used by Fish and other Marine Life for Locomotion , while some land animals use them for Balance (e.g. Cat s) or even for grasping (e.g. Monkey s). Tails can also be useful as for social signals, as used by Deer to warn of possible danger, or by domestic Dog s to indicate emotions. Different evolutionary pressures have led to armoured tails, some containing Venom , as in the case of Scorpion s. In some species of Lizard , the tail is able to be detached from the body at will, with the intent of distracting a predator long enough to allow lizard escape. Usually their tails will grow back over time, though generally darker in color than the original. In birds, tails generally consist of Feather s of extended length which act as a rudder to balance and steer the bird in flight. HUMAN TAILS Human Embryo s have a tail that measures about one-sixth of the size of the embryo itself. As the embryo develops into a Fetus , the tail is absorbed by the growing body. Infrequently, a child is born with a "soft tail", which contains no vertebrae, but only blood vessels, muscles, and nerves. Modern procedures allow doctors to eliminate the tail at delivery. The longest human tail on record belonged to a twelve-year-old boy living in what was then French Indochina , which measured nine inches (229 mm). {Link without Title} |
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