The rat can also curl its tail around its body for warmth. One reason for the relatively long length of the rat's tail is that it creates more surface area for heat dissipation. The average rat's tail is nearly as long as its body and noticeably longer than the tails of many other rodent species. These blood vessels make the rat's tail very sensitive to its environment and aid in temperature regulation. Many arteries and veins run through the tail between the tendons. The rat's tail consists of a core layer of bone surrounded by tendons and covered by skin. Like the tails of most mammals, the rat's tail is an extension of its vertebral column. Rat tails might look like simple appendages on the surface, but below the skin is a complex structure. Learn More What Is the Structure of a Rat's Tail? Even if part of the tail is amputated by the predator, the rat can still get away with its life. An injury to a rat's tail is much less serious than an injury to its body, so encouraging the predator to grab the tail can offer a means of escape. One way they can avoid becoming dinner for a feline, bird or snake is by distracting the predator with their tails. ![]() A rat can easily dine and dash a conventional snap trap, so consider using an automatic trap that humanely kills with a blast of carbon dioxide.Ī rat makes a tasty snack for many predators, and evading these carnivores is an important part of a rat's survival strategy. In fact, the rat's acrobatic balancing capabilities may be why your rat traps are constantly turning up empty. That keen sense of balance is made possible by the rat's long, agile tail. If you have ever observed a rat crawling along a fence, line or wire, you probably took notice of this animal's superb ability to balance on narrow and high surfaces. During colder weather, the vessels constrict to keep the rat's blood in the interior of its body and preserve heat. The blood vessels open up to allow more blood into the tail when temperatures rise, which results in more heat dissipation from the rat's body. They can even control the blood vessels in their tails to adjust for hot or cold weather. The rat's tail is a perfect heat loss organ, and temperature control is especially important for rats because they lack the ability to sweat. The main functions of a rat's tail are temperature regulation, balance and thwarting predators. However, a rat's tail has several key functions that help the animal to survive and thrive in its environment. The rat's tail has evolved over thousands of years to become a perfect accessory for this small animal's survival in the wild.Īt first glance, it might seem that a rat's tail is nothing but a hindrance because it is easy for predators to grab, vulnerable to injury and can become stuck in obstacles. The thought of a greasy rodent tail can make your skin crawl, but why do rats have tails in the first place? You might be surprised to learn that a rat's tail has more purposes than grossing out humans. Although the rat's tail itself is completely harmless, there are several ways that a rat can kill you so being repelled by rat tails isn't entirely irrational. ![]() ![]() ![]() This slimy-looking tail is one of the most common things that people find disgusting about these pests. One of the rat's most distinctive features is its long, hairless tail.
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