Why Do Animals Have Tails. Unlike other monkeys, they do not use hands for balancing but a tail. [3] [4] and some, such as monkeys and opossums , have what are known as prehensile tails , which are adapted to allow them to grasp tree branches.
They use them for all kinds of things, from keeping warm to swinging on trees to communicating with us. Compared to the generally large and rotund shape of a hippopotamus, the size of the tail is quite small, so it is not so obvious, but this appendage even plays an important role in the life of a hippo. Jessi and squeaks got another science question from one of their viewers!
These include human, gorilla or some marine mammals.
Animals use their tails for a wide variety of purposes. When a horse is cold, it tucks its tail between its buttocks to shield that area underneath, which is almost hairless. Some sea snakes that spend almost their entire life in the water also have flattened tails that aid in swimming. A horse's tail, if not trimmed, may well sweep the ground.