Animals with Prehensile Tails
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When it comes to living in the wild, one might need all sorts of adaptations. For arboreal animals, having a prehensile tail that allows them to grip and manipulate objects comes in as handy as well…an extra hand!
From agile primates effortlessly swinging through the treetops to resourceful reptiles adeptly maneuvering among branches, the animal kingdom showcases an astonishing array of prehensile tails.
What is a Prehensile Tail?
The term prehensile tail refers to a tail that can be used to grasp objects. This allows animals to move through trees by using their tail to grab branches as well as allowing them to hold onto items.
The word prehensile actually comes from the Ancient Latin language and the word prehendere which literally means to grasp or grab.
There are two different types of prehensile tails. Animals with fully prehensile tails can use them to hold items like food, whereas those with a semi-prehensile tail only use the tail for anchoring themselves and for climbing.
Advantages of Prehensile Tails for Animals
When you’re living in the trees, having something else to hold onto things is pretty useful, and these prehensile tails certainly have their advantages.
One of the main advantages of a prehensile tail is that this body part is perfectly adapted to an arboreal environment. You’ll notice that there are far more animals with prehensile tails living in the forests of South America than there are in somewhere like Africa.
Not only does a prehensile tail allow the animal to grasp onto tree branches which aid in movement, but it also improves the animal’s balance and makes them more stable as they move around.
Amazingly, a prehensile tail almost acts like a fifth limb which is an advantage in itself.
Primates with Prehensile Tails
One of the most common critters with a prehensile tail are primates. Many tree-dwelling species in the rainforests and other arboreal locations are included in this.
Spider Monkeys (Ateles spp.)
The spider monkey is a New World species of monkey found in Central and South America, particularly in the Amazon rainforest. There are seven species altogether, and while there was once a degree of separation in terms of their range, habitat fragmentation is significantly decreasing their range.
These monkeys use their prehensile tail in order to help them move around by grabbing branches and swinging. Unlike many monkey species, they do not walk on all fours which means they heavily rely on their back limbs and tail.
Spider monkeys have a diet that largely consists of fruit. They’re able to grab this from the trees while their tail, which lacks hair on the underside, anchors them in position. Surprisingly, they don’t have thumbs.
Howler Monkeys (Alouatta spp.)
Howler monkeys belong to the same family as the spider monkey (Atelidae), however, they do have a different range and habitat. They’re commonly found much further south than their spider cousins, as far down as Argentina.
But just like spider monkeys, howlers have a prehensile tail which is almost as long as their body. They use this for gripping onto tree branches which is easy since the tail is incredibly thick and while furred along the length, has a naked tip which aids in grip. They use their tails in a different manner to spider monkeys, gripping the substrate while walking along a support.
As you can probably guess from their name, these monkeys use howling calls, which they use with their neighbors to map out territory. They live in large social groups of up to 15 members.
Wooly Monkeys (Lagothrix spp.)
There are five species of wooly monkeys that are found in South America in the western portion of the Amazon River Basin. These species can live for up to around 30 years and are equipped with super long arms and that all-important prehensile tail.
Their tails are incredibly long and often measure more than the head and the body. There are pads on the tails which assist in gripping when the monkey moves. Additionally, their tails serve as another digit allowing the animal to perform various tasks.
The largest of the New World Monkeys, the wooly monkey, feeds mainly on fruits. However, they are now sadly threatened by hunting and trapping.
Capuchin Monkeys (Cebidae family)
Capuchin monkeys got a reputation for being cute and playful after one featured in the hit TV sitcom, F.R.I.E.N.D.S. Moreover, since they’re so easy to train, the species has also been used as an assistance animal for quadriplegics.
In the wild, they do face threats, particularly hunting, and are found in South America, including Argentina, Peru, Brazil, Costa Rica, Paraguay, and other locations.
They’re excellent climbers and, while they usually reside up in the canopy, they can quickly move down the trees to escape threats. This is thanks to their agility as well as their prehensile tails, which allow them to grip branches as they move. However, unlike their relatives, the spider and howler monkeys, capuchins do not have fully prehensile tails, nor are they as strong. Moreover, they lack a region in the brain that allows them to control the tail, whereas their cousins do have this.
Reptiles with Prehensile Tails
It’s not just monkeys that are adorned with prehensile tails, there are many reptile species that also have this special adaptation.
Anoles (Anolis spp.)
Anoles are a species of lizard found primarily in South America, but their range does extend into some parts of North America. They are a small species but have a prehensile tail which they use in their arboreal environment for movement and support.
Compared to other creatures with prehensile tails, anoles’ tails are relatively short. However, they do have the ability to drop their tails in order to escape a threat; a common trait seen in several lizard species.
These lizards are found all over South America and have many unique ways of communicating, including head bobbing, and push-up displays, and the males will flash their colorful dewlaps.
Abronias (Abronia spp.)
Abronias, otherwise known as the Mexican alligator lizard, is, as its name suggests, native to Mexico. However, it is also found in Guatemala, where it prefers a forest habitat, being an arboreal species. They typically live no higher than 130 feet (40 meters) among the humid canopies of the cloud forests.
Sadly, the Mexican alligator lizard is now endangered in the wild due to habitat loss and is now protected under Mexican law.
When they’re young, these lizards have a tan coloration but they become a much brighter, richer shade of green as they enter adulthood. They have prehensile tails that are used for balance and support while climbing in the trees and, like the anoles I discussed previously, they can drop and regrow these tails when threatened.
Prehensile-Tailed Skink (Corucia zebrata)
Native to the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, the prehensile-tailed skink is an arboreal species of lizard that lives in the high canopies of forested areas. These are large skinks; the largest species in the world, with adults reaching a maximum of 36 inches (91 cm) in length.
Sometimes called the monkey-tailed skink, this animal uses its tail in a similar way to some primate species as a fifth limb when climbing.
Sadly the prehensile-tailed skink is under serious threat from a variety of things, such as logging, hunting for food, and the pet trade.
Interestingly, unlike most reptiles, these lizards give birth to live young instead of laying eggs. Within a few days, the young eat the placental sac for its high nutritional value.
Chameleons (Chamaeleonidae family)
Chameleons are well known for their ability to change their color which they do in order to blend into their surroundings. They achieve this through the manipulation of their pigments and amino acids within the skin.
There are more than 200 species of chameleon but most are found on the island of Madagascar and it’s thought that they have been around for more than 60 million years!
In terms of their prehensile tails, chameleons use them to hold onto branches while using their legs to move. This enables them to move much greater distances than they would otherwise be able to. Interestingly, there is something of a debate over whether these lizards have prehensile tails at all. In reality, it largely depends on the species, as some have much longer tails than others.
Those that do have long tails will often curl them up in an effort to appear smaller to predators which, when combined with their color-changing abilities, makes them masters of disguise.
Marsupials with Prehensile Tails
Marsupials are a class of mammals called Marsupialia and are unique in that they give birth to highly underdeveloped young which then continue their development in the mother’s pouch. There are several species, and some of them are equipped with a prehensile tail.
Common Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)
The common ringtail possum is a species of marsupial native to Australia, particularly along the east and southwest coasts and on the island of Tasmania. The species is often found in domestic gardens as it is well adapted to living alongside humans but is often seen as being a pest.
Common ringtail possums have long prehensile tails that can make up as much as a quarter of the overall length of the animal. The tip is usually white and their tail serves as an additional limb which helps them move through their arboreal environment. It’s rare that they will descend to the ground.
They’re not only found in forested areas but can also be seen in coastal scrubland, and it’s easy to listen for them thanks to the chirping sound that they make. However, being a nocturnal species, you’ll usually only hear them at night.
Leadbeater’s Possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri)
The leadbeater’s possum is an incredibly rare species that is only found in an area of around 1,350mi² (3,500km²) in the state of Victoria, Australia. They’re listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List and this is as a result of logging in the ash forests where they live.
Leadbeater’s possums are a nocturnal species that will often take refuge in tree holes during the day. They have gray to brown fur and a distinct black line that runs from the head and down the back. They’re incredibly fast and will move through the trees in search of sap and insects for food.
Having a prehensile tail means that the leadbeater’s possum is able to carry bark in order to build its nest. The tail is thick and furry and often described as being club-like. Unlike many other similar species, the leadbeater’s possum does not have a gliding membrane.
Scaly-Tailed Possum (Wyulda squamicaudata)
Another rare Australian species, the scaly-tailed possum is found exclusively in the Kimberley region in the northwest of the country. They live in rugged habitats and are incredibly secretive, which means that scientists are yet to understand much about them.
What we do know is that the scaly-tailed possum lives among rocks and feeds on fruits. However, they face threats from wildfires which significantly decrease their available food sources.
As you can guess from their name, the scaly-tailed possum has a hairless prehensile tail. The benefit of this is improved grip so the animal can tightly grasp hold of branches as it searches for food.
Western Ringtail Possum (Pseudocheirus occidentalis)
Western ringtail possums are a less common species that are only found in a limited area within the southwest of Australia. These animals are mid-sized marsupials, with adults growing to around 2.9 lbs (1.3 kg) in weight.
They have long prehensile tails, and the white tip makes them easy to identify. The tail can measure up to 14 inches (35 cm) in length, and the possum uses it to move through its arboreal environment as well as for carrying twigs back to the nest.
These possums nest in leafy structures within the trees and only come out at night to forage for food such as leaves, fruits, and flowers. Sadly, since the British settlement in Australia, it’s thought that populations of the western ringtail possum have declined by as much as 95%. As a result of this, it is now a critically endangered species.
Virginia Opossum (Didelphis virginiana)
Out of all the marsupials on the planet, the Virginia opossum is the most northern in terms of range. It is also the only animal of its type found in North America, with all other possums in this part of the world being located no further north than Mexico.
Virginia opossums are often thought to hang from a branch using their tail when sleeping. But this is incorrect. While their tails are strong enough to allow them to hang for short periods, they cannot do this for an extended period. Instead, the tails are used for support and balance in the trees.
These marsupials are famous for their behavior when threatened. While they’ll initially bare their teeth and hiss, they are frequently known to play dead in order to deter a predator. That’s where the saying ‘playing possum’ comes from.
Rodents with Prehensile Tails
When you think of a rodent, you often imagine a creature with a long slender tail. But did you know that many rodents not only have long tails, but prehensile ones that are adapted to their environments.
Prehensile-Tailed Porcupine (Coendou prehensilis)
A South American species, the prehensile-tailed porcupine is found in forested areas throughout Brazil, Paraguay, Argentina, and Bolivia. However, while they’re mainly found in a variety of forested locations, they sometimes prefer a cropland or grassland habitat.
Prehensile-tailed porcupines were only discovered in 2013, and they’re a distinctive-looking species with a large, rounded nose and, as with all porcupine species, are covered in spines. They’re very muscular animals and when fully grown, can weigh as much as 11 lbs (5 kg).
Their prehensile tails can grow up to 19 inches (48.5 cm) and have a pad at the end, which improves their grip. They use their tails for balance and stability when moving through the trees.
Ring-Tailed Coati (Nasua nasua)
Found in tropical forested areas in South America, the ring-tailed coati can live at altitudes of up to 8,202 feet (2,500 meters). Being opportunistic feeders, nothing is off the menu, and the ring-tailed coati is known to feed on fruits and insects.
Moving through the trees is easy for the ring-tailed coati as it is able to turn its ankle 180 degrees to directly descend a tree. Couple this with a long prehensile tail for balance and they are masters of their arboreal habitat.
Ring-tailed coatis are not listed as a threatened species but they are protected in Uruguay owing to the detrimental effects things like hunting and deforestation have had on their populations.
Prehensile-Tailed Rat (Pogonomys mollipilosus)
The prehensile-tailed rat enjoys a tropical environment where it is found in forested areas. The species is native to Australia and Papua New Guinea. In the former, it is most commonly found in the tropical forests around the state of Queensland.
With its adorable appearance, it’ll come as no surprise that this animal is sometimes referred to as the tree mouse. It has gray fur and large black eyes and of course, a long, largely hairless prehensile tail that assists them when moving through the trees.
Eurasian Harvest Mouse (Micromys minutus)
The Eurasian harvest mouse is a small species that feeds primarily on cereal crops and fruits, so is often found in fields. The mouse is common across all of Europe and Asia and prefers habitats with a lot of vegetation and cover.
This species has reddish-brown fur and large feet, which make it a very adept climber. In addition to this, they have long prehensile tails, which they use to grip branches and other surfaces when climbing. When they do this, it frees up their front limbs, which can then be used to take fruit from the trees.
Fish with Prehensile Tails
So far, I’ve talked about animals with prehensile tails that live in trees. But there are also some creatures in the deep blue with specially adapted tails.
Seahorses (Hippocampus spp.)
There are 46 species of seahorse and they all have their own unique appearance, adaptations, and habits. But one thing they all have in common is that long curly tail that we’re all familiar with. But why do seahorses have this type of prehensile tail and what do they use it for?
Well, in order to understand, we have to look at how these creatures evolved. They initially came from animals that weren’t all that dissimilar to the pipefish which is a straight creature whereas the seahorse has lots of curves. The development of their modern shape was all down to their food habits; seahorses are carnivores and will wait to ambush passing prey.
In order not to float away, they wrap their prehensile tails around coral or seagrass to anchor them as they wait for their next meal to pass by!
Interestingly, unlike other animals with prehensile tails, the seahorse tail is square as opposed to being rounded. Scientists believe that this adds strength to the tail and allows the seahorse to twist and be moved by the force of the current without sustaining damage to its tail.
Pipefish (Syngnathinae)
Pipefish are within the same family as seahorses and sea dragons, but they have a long straight body. They take their name from their elongated snout and are largely found in marine environments, although there are a few freshwater species.
They typically prefer tropical or temperate waters and tend to live in seagrass beds or around coral reefs, where they will hunt for crustaceans and plankton. Amazingly, pipefish have no digestive system, so nutrients don’t last long, which means that they have to eat little and often.
There are more than 200 species of pipefish and not all of them have a prehensile tail. However, those that do use them in a similar way to seahorses, anchoring themselves to various surfaces.
Other Animals with Prehensile Tails
We’ve met rodents, reptiles, primates, and fish with prehensile tails, but it doesn’t end there. There are still more amazing creatures with these fascinating tails, so let’s get to know them a little better.
Kinkajou (Potos flavus)
The kinkajou is a mysterious creature that is found in the neotropical forests of Mexico and Brazil. They are a mid-sized mammals that are related to raccoons and coatis. Kinkajous are a primarily arboreal species that was once classified as a primate owing to its physical features.
They have hind feet that can twist around, enabling them to scale trees with ease as well as long fingers with claws for grabbing onto branches. Of course, they also have a long fully prehensile tail which is used for aid when climbing and for holding onto objects.
Kinkajous are carnivores, but they primarily feed on fruit. The name translates to mean honey bear, and it’s not hard to see why with their small rounded ears and olive to tan colored fur. If you think they’re sweet looking then you might be interested to know that kinkajous have a great relationship with humans and are often kept as exotic pets.
Binturong (Arctictis binturong)
Another curious-looking and undeniably cute creature with a prehensile tail is the binturong. These mammals, sometimes called the bearcat, are members of the civet family and are found in Southeast Asia in forested areas.
They have an appearance that ranges somewhere between that of a cat and a bear; hence their nickname and have mainly black fur and are extremely heavy-set. Their long prehensile tails are primarily used to help them when climbing, and these muscular appendages can grow up to 33 inches (84 cm) in length; almost as long as the binturong’s body!
An amazing fact about the binturong is that it uses a very unique scent to mark its territory, which smells just like buttered popcorn!
Anteaters (Cyclopedidae, Myrmecophagidae family)
The anteater is an animal that you might not associate with a prehensile tail, but they have one nonetheless. However, this doesn’t apply to all anteater species. For example, the giant anteater, the largest of the four species, has a long bushy tail that is not prehensile.
Smaller species, such as the tamandua, have semi-prehensile tails, which they use to hold onto tree branches. They often do this when they are being attacked as a way of freeing up their clawed limbs to fight back.
This species will also use its long, hairless prehensile tail when climbing as it provides it with grip and balance when moving through the forests of South America.
