Squirrels have bushy tails for many reasons. Their tails play an important role in their body. So some reasons we will discuss in this blog how their tails can help them in their daily routine.
Intro to Squirrels
Squirrels are found on almost every continent except Australia and Antarctica. They live in woodland areas like trees and grass. There are up to 200 species of squirrels in the world. They dig into the land like tunnels and live there. They are omnivores, so they feed on seeds, nuts, fungi, fruits, caterpillars, small insects, and even young snakes.
So here are some of the main functions of the bushy tails of squirrels;
Balancing Purpose
Their fluffy or bushy tails play an important role in their body. Although, its bushy tail help squirrels for balancing in the body. Because when it jumps from one tree to another, its bushy tail helps it to turn quickly. So their bushy tail helps them to keep balance on the tree of branches.
Communication Purpose
Yes, the bushy tail of squirrels helps them communicate purpose. If they see something dangerous, they can alert or warn other squirrels by shaking their tails. So from this, they can send a message to them. It is a very amazing purpose of their tail.
Alarming Purpose
When squirrels even see a predator or any human beings, or something else like animals like snakes, foxes, bobcats, e.t.c. So, what do they do now? They flick their tail to send alert messages to others. So the other squirrels get alerted, which will keep them safe from predators.
Warming Purpose in Winter
You think that how their tails can help warm them. But their tails are indeed helpful for them in winter. For them, this is a built-in blanket to stay warm in winter. So that’s an amazing natural system for them to stay warm because they live in a tunnel-like home under land, so in winter there is much cold in there, so they use their tails for a heating system.
Shade Purpose in Summer
As we have previously discussed, their tail keeps them warm in winter. But here is another role of the tail in summer. In summer, if there is raining outside, they can get help from their tail as an umbrella. This is something funny how they use their tails like an umbrella. But that’s true. Their bushy tail gives shade them in rainy weather. So in this way, they can not even get wet. And also for another purpose: if they get wet from rain or something else like water. Their tail acts like a towel also. They wrap their tail around their body so that they dry their body.
FAQ’S
Yes, they can live without the tail. Squirrels’ tails can be damaged by accident or by a predator attack.
Unfortunately No! If their tail is cut off, it can’t grow again.
Squirrels have big tails because they are helpful for them in winter when they wrap their body with their tail.
There is a fungal disease that causes a bad effect on their skin and hair. This skin disease, called ‘Mange‘, is caused by microscopic mites. So because of this disease, they lost their hair, and their tail didn’t look bushy.
Conclusion
Squirrels’ bushy tails play a big role in their habitat. They are incomplete without their bushy tail. And you have also seen how their bushy tails help them in every situation. For shade purposes, warming purposes, and even communicate when the help of their tails. So this is why they have bushy tails
