Rabbits are cute and adorable creatures that many people like to keep as household pets. They are from the Lagomorpha family, which are grouped into two main categories, namely the Ochotonidae and the Leporidae (rabbits and hares). It’s worth noting that the Leporidae group is also divided into 80 different species.
Today, you can find the Lagomorph species in almost every part of the world, which is amazing. They are native to different parts of the world, including North American, African, Asian, and European countries. About from being found in their natural habitat, there are also many rabbit species that are brought to different parts of the world, where they eventually start to live.
The Ochotonidae (pikas) on the other hand are native to North American and Asian countries. Their tails are the shortest of all, and they are sometimes not as visible as other rabbit species. This makes their tail a lot different from others, especially hares and rabbits. There are also many other animals that have really short legs, and some notable examples include bears, sheep, viscacha, jackrabbits, cottontail rabbits, and deer.
Why are the Tails of Rabbit White?
This is a question that a lot of people often ask. You’ll be amazed by the answer to this question. There are studies that show that for wild rabbits, the tail is the white because it serves as camouflage and provides survival and self-preservation means for the rabbit.
Whenever the rabbit is being chased by a predator, the white tail serves as a distraction, and this allows the rabbit to be able to find enough time to escape. However, the reason for the whitetail in domestic animals is a lot different. There are many rabbit breeds that have been domesticated for centuries, and one of the main reasons why breeders choose them is for their white tails. This bunnycare.net is one of the best platforms where you will find detailed info on rabbit and rabbit tails.
Their white tails are generally cute and attractive. Also, it’s worth noting that not all wild and domesticated rabbits have white tails, and this is due to different breed mixing for centuries. Today, there are so many tricolor rabbits that you’ll find in different places.
How are Rabbit Tails Different?
The tails of rabbits are generally shorter, especially with respect to their body size, and when compared to the tails of other animals. For example, the bone structure that is found in the tails of cats, dogs, and many other mammals is not present in that of rabbits. In rabbits, this is replaced by muscle and cartilage.
Another thing worth noting is that the tail of rabbits are not so involved in balance as the case is with cats. However, the structure still confers extra flexibility to the rabbits, and this further enhances their balance, especially when they hop.
In cats, the tails help in communication, and this is with other animals, cats, and even humans. The swishing or twitching action of cats helps in sending different messages, and this ranges from happiness to aggression. Also, the tails of cats have a different level of flexibility, and this is to enhance their navigation when moving in a tight corner and when climbing trees.
Another thing to note is that the tail also serves many other functions, and this applies to both the wild and domesticated animals. Whenever rabbits are comfortable, they tend to lie down and untuck their tails. This indicates trust in their environment, and it also shows that they feel safe with you. One interesting thing is that, like dogs, rabbits can also wag their tails, and when they do this, it means they are stubborn or annoyed.