what are tails for?

[devun]

random question: anyone know what a gerbil's tail is adapted to do? It just seems like most tails are there for a reason-- balance, keeping warm, communication, etc. Maybe a gerbil's tail is to distract a predator and get it to attack the tail and not the gerbil? That's what a squirrel does with its tail, I think. Anyone know?

[sweetie]

Hey Devun,

It sounds like you have the answer . A lot of animals whose tail fall off are a defense against preditors. I have also noticed that they do assist with balance, etc.

[Ritzie/Admin]

Indeed! Mostly for balance! And of course agains predators.

You can try it youself! When you hold you gerbil and move it aroun, up side down, etc. (keep it safe!), you will see that the tails sweeps around to find balance!

[RyanF]

Yeah, I have seen them do that! The tail seems to sweep in a circular motion.

[j]

Ya know, I know it's true about it being a defense against predators and all..

But it doesn't make much sense to me cause.. In the wild, if another animal is trying to attack a gerbil, it's mostly likely for food. If the predator can't get their food because their tails keep falling off.. then the predator would just die of starvation. Of course if the gerbil dies being eaten..that sucks too.