The mammalian tail: a review of functions

The mammalian tail, present in all mammalian species, has evolved as a surprisingly multi-purpose and important appendage. The major conservative feature appears to be retention of the tail as a single, unbranched appendage; otherwise, colour, shape, size and mobility vary greatly. Not all of the adaptations discussed are common to all mammalian orders, and no single mammalian order has all the different adaptations occurring in it. These diverse functions may be useful in interpreting behavioural observations, and function as potential guideposts for further investigation.

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