For the next few posts, we will discuss the tail.
A cat’s tail has, on the average has 20 to 25 vertebrae. Of course, with different cat breeds, the amount varies. Before discussing the specifics, we first need to mention the different tail types. More info
The curly tail (or Ringtailed)
not to be confused with the American Curl (ears curl black). The cat’s tail is usually looped over back or, like Everest (above), it curls up toward the rest of his back. Thank you Messy Beast
The Manx
often times, people will think that a Manx has no tail (above) but as you can see below, they can have a bit of a tail (below).
The Manx has four classifications: “Rumpies”, “Rumpy-Risers”, “Stumpies”, and “Longies”. The tailless gene can cause health problems.
The American Bob-tails
As you can see, the American Bobtail are similar to the Manx. While the Manx are an older breed from The Isle of Man, the American Bobtail is a relatively young breed, dating back in the 1960. The breed came from mating a domestic short-haired tabby with a Siamese.
The Corkscrew Tail
This tail has a definite curl, like a corkscrew (shown in comparison to a regular tail above)
The Kinked Tail
The kink tailed cat is just like it sounds…a tail with a kink.
Be sure to come back to see how these little rascals use their tails.
A special thanks to: Messy Beast Portal, PoC and, The Catsite
DISCLAIMER: I am not a cat behaviorist, vet, or an expert of any kind. Therefore, I can only claim that the statements made in this blog are based on my personal research and my 20 years of experience as a cat guardian only.