This may sound like a question from trivia night but after finding myself googling this late at night I knew it had to land here as well. Animals with longest tails or how this appendage improves the life of the animal it belongs to. From being a full-on show for mating purposes to being a life-saver tool, we’re gonna tail you all about it #dadjoke
1. Arctic foxes
These fluffy guys have bodies up to 18-26 inches (45-66 centimeters) in length, and their tails are about 12-21 inches (30-53 centimeters) long. So, the tail is a good chunk of their overall length! Why the long tail? It’s more than simple furry elegance! It helps them keep warm by wrapping it around their bodies like a furry blanket, their very own built-in snuggie for the chilly Arctic weather!
2. Spider monkeys
These agile acrobats sport bodies ranging from 1.6-2.3 feet (0.5-0.7 meters). The tails, coming in at 2.3-3.2 feet (0.7-1 meter), are practically their built-in fifth limb.
3. Ring-tailed lemurs
4. Indian giant squirrels
The opposite of small and cuddly, these overinflated squirrels have around 1.6-2 feet (0.5-0.6 meters). With tails at around 2-2.3 feet (0.6-0.7 meters), tails that aren’t just for looks, they serve the same purpose as they do for their smaller relatives, balance, protection, and communication, this is one impressive mammal.
5. Banner-tailed kangaroo rat
These cute and weird desert-dwellers are on the rather small side for a rat, with bodies from 4.7-5.5 inches (12-14 centimeters). But their tails are usually the showstoppers, with a whooping 7.5-9 inches (19-23 centimeters). Picture it as their very own rudder, helping these nocturnal speedsters make sharp turns and navigate the sandy landscapes like miniature racing champions.
6. Red kangaroos
Time for a Kangaroo hop into the spotlight! These bouncers have bodies from 3.3-8.9 feet (1 to 2.7 meters). Their tails are not to be overlooked, usually measuring around 3.3 to 4.9 feet (1 to 1.5 meters). It’s their built-in stabilizer, helping them stick the landing while also giving their feet a well-deserved rest sesh mid-walks.
7. Snow leopards
These cute but dangerous snow ninjas come in sizes ranging 3-4.3 feet (0.9-1.3 meters). Now, their tails, typically measuring around 2.6-3.5 feet (0.8 to 1.1 meters), are cool times two: they serve a cool purpose, a counterbalanced “device”, and look utterly cool as well.
8. Long-eared jerboas
These adorable hoppers measure in at about 2-3 inches (5-7.5 centimeters) for their bodies. The tails, reaching up to 4-6 inches (10-15 centimeters), play a crucial role in their acrobatics.
9. Eastern glass lizard
The lizard that could easily be mistaken for a snake cruises in with a body spanning 20-40 inches (51-102 centimeters). The tail can easily stretch to 13-20 inches (33-51 centimeters), and is in fact a multi-tool: helps them to move around since the no legs is kind of an issue and it’s also a good distraction when faced with danger.
10. Asian grass lizards
These sleek critters come in at around 5-8 inches (13-20 centimeters) in body length. As you can easily see, their tails are insanely big, roughly 7-11 inches (18-28 centimeters). The purpose: balance and a good place to store fat.
11. Chameleons
They may be masters of disguise but even that can’t help them to camouflage a tail that big. Their bodies range from 1-30 inches (2.5-76 centimeters). As for the tails, which can be as long as 1-18 inches (2.5-46 centimeters), they play a role in their tree house lifestyle. It helps them to navigate from one branch to another, catching insects with a lightning-quick strike.
12. Black spider monkeys
Next up, some jungle acrobats with a memorable expression, the poor guys look like they haven’t slept in a week. The black spider monkeys’ bodies come at 16-24 inches (40-61 centimeters). The tails measure an impressive 24-32 inches (61-81 centimeters), more than their height.
13. Long-tailed widowbirds
Impressive birds with tails 400% bigger than their body. Apparently size does matter since males with longer tails have better chances of finding a mate.
14. Nine-banded armadillos
Rolling into the scene, these armored creatures measure 15-17 inches (38-43 centimeters). With tails almost as long as their bodies, about 11-15 inches (28-38 centimeters), they have the perfect armor, allowing them to turn into an impenetrable ball.
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15. Tufted ground squirrels
Another squirrel for our list. These fluffballs have around 5-10 inches (13-25 centimeters) and a tail of 4-7 inches (10-18 centimeters). It distracts predators, making them look bigger and more dangerous than they are.
