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The tail is the elongated section at the rear end of a bilaterian animal's body; in general, the term refers to a distinct, flexible appendage extending backwards from the midline of the torso. In vertebrate animals that evolution to lose their tails (e.g. and hominid ), the coccyx is the vestigial of the tail. While tails are primarily considered a feature of vertebrates, some such as and , as well as and , have tail-like appendages that are also referred to as tails.
Tail-shaped objects are sometimes referred to as "caudate" (e.g. caudate lobe, caudate nucleus), and the body part associated with or proximal to the tail are given the adjective "caudal" (which is considered a more precise anatomical terminology).
Many animals use their tail for utility purposes, for example many grazing animals, such as and oxen, use their tails to drive away parasitic fly and sweep off other biting insects. Some animals with broad, furry tails (e.g. ) often wrap the tail around the body as means of thermal insulation like a blanket.
Some species' tails serve aggressive functions, either or defensively. For example, the tails of have a stinger that contain venom, which can be used to either kill large prey or to fight off a threat. Similarly, have a thickened spine that can deliver penetrating trauma. are known to use their long tails to stun prey. Many species of snakes wiggle their tails caudal luring, who may mistake the tail as a worm. The extinct ( and ) have tails with tail spike or tail club as defensive weapons against predators.
Tails are also used for communication and signalling. Most caninae use their tails to communicate mood and intention. Some deer species flash the white underside of their tails to warn other nearby deer of possible danger, beavers slap the water with their tails to indicate danger, Felidae raise and quiver their tails while Scent marking, and canids (including domestic ) indicate through the positioning and movement of their tails. perform tail vibration to generate a distinct rattling noise that signals aggression and warns potential predators to stay away. Rodents are also capable of tail-rattling and display this behavior in a variety of contexts.
Some species of lizard (e.g. ) can autotomy ("cast") their tails from their bodies to help them escape , which are either distracted by the wriggling detached tail or only manages to seize the severed tail while the lizard flees. Tails cast in this manner generally grow back over time, though the replacement is typically darker in colour than the original and contains only cartilage, not bone. Various species of Rodent demonstrate a similar function with their tails, known as degloving, in which the outer layer is shed in order for the animal to escape from a predator.
Most birds' tails end in long called rectrices. These feathers are used as a rudder, helping the bird steer and maneuver in Bird flight; they also help the bird to balance while it is perched. In some species—such as birds of paradise, lyrebirds, and most notably peafowl—modified tail feathers play an important role in courtship displays. The extra-stiff tail feathers of other species, including and , allow them to brace themselves firmly against tree trunks.
In 2024, scientists claimed to have found a genetic mutation that contributed to the loss of the tail in the common ancestor of humans and other apes.
Humans have a "tailbone" (the coccyx) attached to the pelvis; it comprises fused , usually four, at the bottom of the vertebral column. It does not normally protrude externally – humans are an (or acaudate) species (i.e., tailless).
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