The Feline Tail The tail is an anatomical marvel. It's a highly specialized tool of communication, but more importantly, it helps balance the body. Like a tightrope walker's pole, this appendage acts as a counterweight in such feline high wire acts as climbing trees, walking along a chair back or tiptoeing across ceiling-high shelves. The tail also serves as a gyroscope of sorts, allowing the cat to maintain its orientation in sharp turns made while on the run, a critical advantage when hunting. In the dizzying, zigzag pursuit of desperate prey, the cheetah, for instance, uses its extra-long tail to stay upright during each abrupt change of direction.
Cat Clips
|
advertisement
Search Adoptable Pets!How Stuff Works
How Cat Behavior Works
Communicating with your cat can be tricky. Understanding his behaviors is key. Learn more about what his sounds and movements mean at HowStuffWorks.com. Home Remedies for Overweight Cats Weight problems are very common in the feline world. There are things you can do to slim down your overweight cat. Visit HowStuffWorks.com for ideas on how to get your cat moving and to find out what to do when the extra pounds pose a problem. 
|
