The tail on a squirrel is a fascinating device that has a lot of uses. Those fluffy appendages help with balance, regulate body temperature, break their falls, are used for communication and even battle! Unfortunately it is not uncommon for a squirrel’s tail to come off.
What Happens When A Squirrel Loses Its Tail?
A squirrel losing its tail is a relatively common event. A squirrel can get its tail stuck between branches on fence boards while they are chasing each other and have the thing yanked right off. Squirrels can also lose their tails during a fight with a predator.
A squirrel can not regrow its tail. Once the tail is gone it stays gone and the poor fella just looks goofy.
Squirrels can live a long time in the wild but without their tail but are at more risk for an early death.
A squirrel without a tail will not be able to balance as well in the treetops and is at greater risk for a fall. This is especially dangerous as the squirrel won’t be able to use his tail to slow the descent. A squirrel without a tail will not be able to use flagging to scare off predators making it more of a target.
Lastly, a squirrel without a tail has lost one of the mechanisms it uses to control body temperature making it more susceptible to the challenges of extreme heat or cold.
More Tail Facts
Keep reading to learn some pretty amazing ways that squirrels use their tails including Fighting Rattlesnakes!
The Tail Is In The Name!
The scientific name for most tree squirrels (sciurus) is based upon their tail. The name, Sciurus, comes from the Greek skia (shadow) and oura (tail) and refers to the squirrel “sitting in the shadow of its tail”.
- Eastern Grey Squirrel: Sciurus carolinis
- Western Grey Squirrel: Sciurus griseus
- Fox Squirrel: Sciurus niger
- Eurasian Red Squirrel: Sciurus vulgaris
If you have spent much time at all watching tree squirrels then you have undoubtedly seen one sitting in the classic pose with its tail curled up over its back.