What is the function of a tail?
Many land animals use their tails to brush away flies and other biting insects. Some species, including cats and kangaroos, use their tails for balance; and some, such as monkeys and opossums, have what are known as prehensile tails, which are adapted to allow them to grasp tree branches.
What is the purpose of the tail on a cow?
Cows use their tails in three major ways—communication, locomotion, and fly removal (response to skin irritation). So the tail is not a useless appendage that should be removed in a cavalier fashion. These are behaviors that are important to the cow.
How may removing the tail of a cow be detrimental?
Not only is the procedure painful and may result in chronic pain, shortening the tail prevents the cow from swatting at flies. This results in an increased number of flies around the hind quarters causing distress due to the intense irritation and annoyance.
Can a person live without a tailbone?
“Other mammals find their tails useful for balance, but when humans learned to walk, the tail [became] useless and evolution converted it to just some fused vertebrae we call a coccyx,” LiveScience noted. But in terms of functionality, it’s definitely not something humans “need.”
Why do farmers cut off cow tails?
Farmers suggest that the practice of tail docking reduces the transmission of diseases carried by cows, such as Leptospirosis, to workers. Importantly, docking is also thought to improve cow cleanliness and udder health and hygiene, thereby decreasing somatic cell count (SCC) and the risk of mastitis.
What are the benefits of tail docking?
Historically, tail docking was thought to prevent rabies, strengthen the back, increase the animal’s speed, and prevent injuries when ratting, fighting, and baiting. Tail docking is done in modern times either for prophylactic, therapeutic, cosmetic purposes, and/or to prevent injury.
