A prehensile tail is the tail of an animal that has adapted to be able to grasp and/or hold objects. Fully prehensile tails can be used to hold and manipulate objects, and in particular to aid arboreal creatures in finding and eating food in the trees. If the tail cannot be used for this it is considered only partially prehensile - such tails are often used to anchor an animal's body to or dangle from a branch, or as an aid to climbing. The term prehensile means "able to grasp" (from the Latin prehendere, the root of "comprehend" and "apprehend"). A Ring-tailed Lemur For other uses, see Tail (disambiguation). ... Phyla Placozoa (trichoplax) Orthonectida (orthonectids) Rhombozoa (dicyemids) Subregnum Parazoa Porifera (sponges) Subregnum Eumetazoa Radiata (unranked) (radial symmetry) Ctenophora (comb jellies) Cnidaria (coral, jellyfish, anemones) Bilateria (unranked) (bilateral symmetry) Acoelomorpha (basal) Myxozoa (slime animals) Superphylum Deuterostomia (blastopore becomes anus) Chordata (vertebrates, etc. ... The eye is an adaptation. ... Prehensility is the quality of an organ that has adapted for grasping or holding. ...

The fully prehensile tail of a mantled howler monkey (Alouatta palliata). Observe the bare patch for gripping

ImageMetadata File history File links PNM_Howler_Tail. ... ImageMetadata File history File links PNM_Howler_Tail. ... Binomial name Alouatta palliata (Gray, 1849) The Mantled Howler (Alouatta palliata), or sometimes the Golden-mantled Howling Monkey, is a species of howler monkey, a type of New World monkey, from Central and South America. ...

Ecology of the prehensile tail

One point of interest is the distribution of animals with prehensile tails. The prehensile tail is predominantly a New World adaptation, especially among mammals. Many more animals in South America have prehensile tails than in Africa and Southeast Asia. It has been argued that animals with prehensile tails predominate in South America as the forest is very dense compared to that of Africa or Southeast Asia. In contrast, in less dense forest such as in Southeast Asia it is observed that gliding animals tend to be more common instead, whereas there are few gliding vertebrates in South America. Also South American rainforests tend to have more lianas as there are fewer large animals to eat them compared to Africa and Asia; the presence of lianas perhaps aiding climbers but obstructing gliders.^[1]. Curiously, Australia contains many mammals with prehensile tails and also many mammals which can glide; in fact, all Australian mammalian gliders have tails that are prehensile to an extent. Carte dAmérique, Guillaume Delisle, c. ... South America South America is a continent crossed by the equator, with most of its area in the Southern Hemisphere. ... For other uses, see Africa (disambiguation). ... Location of Southeast Asia Southeast Asia is a subregion of Asia. ... A number of animals have evolved aerial locomotion, either by powered flight or by gliding. ... A liana is woody climber. ...

Anatomy and physiology of the prehensile tail

Tails are mostly a feature of vertebrates, however some invertebrates such as scorpions also have appendages that can be considered tails. However, only vertebrates are known to have developed prehensile tails. Many mammals with prehensile tails will have a bare patch to aid gripping. Classes and Clades See below Vertebrata is a subphylum of chordates, specifically, those with backbones or spinal columns. ... Invertebrate is a term coined by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck to describe any animal without a spinal column. ... Superfamilies Pseudochactoidea Buthoidea Chaeriloidea Chactoidea Iuroidea Scorpionoidea See classification for families. ... An appendage is, in general, an external body part that projects from the body, or a natural prolongation or projection from a part of any organism. ...

Animals with fully prehensile tails

Mammals

Mantled howler monkey(Alouatta palliata) securing itself with its fully prehensile tail

• New World Monkeys. Many New World monkeys such as those of the family Atelidae, which includes howler monkeys and spider monkeys, have grasping tails often with a bare tactile pad. This is in contrast wiht their distant Old World monkey cousins who do not have prehensile tails.

• Opossum. A marsupial group from the Americas. There is anecdotal evidence that opossums may use their prehensile tails to carry nesting material.

• Binturong. The only Old World animals with fully prehensile tails are the carnivorous binturongs of Borneo, though even they use only the tip of the tail.

• Kinkajou. The kinkajou of South and Central America is the only other animal of the order carnivora to sport the adaptation, although in contrast to the binturong its diet is omnivorous.

Orders Subclass Monotremata Monotremata Subclass Marsupialia Didelphimorphia Paucituberculata Microbiotheria Dasyuromorphia Peramelemorphia Notoryctemorphia Diprotodontia Subclass Placentalia Xenarthra Dermoptera Desmostylia Scandentia Primates Rodentia Lagomorpha Insectivora Chiroptera Pholidota Carnivora Perissodactyla Artiodactyla Cetacea Afrosoricida Macroscelidea Tubulidentata Hyracoidea Proboscidea Sirenia The mammals are the class of vertebrate animals primarily characterized by the presence of mammary... Image File history File links PNM_MantledHowler_Christine. ... Image File history File links PNM_MantledHowler_Christine. ... Binomial name Alouatta palliata (Gray, 1849) The Mantled Howler (Alouatta palliata), or sometimes the Golden-mantled Howling Monkey, is a species of howler monkey, a type of New World monkey, from Central and South America. ... Families Cebidae Nyctipithecidae Pitheciidae Atelidae The New World monkeys or Platyrrhines are the four families of primates that are found in Central and South America, the Cebidae, Nyctipithecidae, Pitheciidae and Atelidae. ... Genera Alouatta Ateles Brachyteles Lagothrix Oreonax The Atelidae are one of the two families of New World monkeys now recognised. ... Type Species Simia belzebul Linnaeus, 1766 Species Alouatta coibensis Alouatta palliata Alouatta pigra Alouatta belzebul Alouatta guariba Alouatta macconnelli Alouatta nigerrima Alouatta sara Alouatta seniculus Alouatta caraya The howler monkeys (genus Alouatta monotypic in subfamily Alouattinae) are among the largest of the New World monkeys. ... Type Species Simia paniscus Linnaeus, 1758 Species Ateles paniscus Ateles belzebuth Ateles chamek Ateles hybridus Ateles marginatus Ateles fusciceps Ateles geoffroyi Spider monkeys are New World monkeys of the family Atelidae, subfamily Atelinae. ... A tactile pad is an area of skin that is particularly sensitive to pressure, temperature, or pain. ... Subfamilies Cercopithecinae - 11 genera Colobinae - 10 genera The Old World monkeys or Cercopithecidae are a group of primates, falling in the superfamily Cercopithecoidea in the clade Catarrhini. ... This article or section should be merged with Virginia_opossum The word opossum (usually pronounced without the leading O, or with only a very slight schwa) refers either to the Virginia Opossum in particular, or more generally to any of the other marsupials of magnorder Ameridelphia. ... Orders Didelphimorphia Paucituberculata Microbiotheria Dasyuromorphia Peramelemorphia Notoryctemorphia Diprotodontia Marsupials are mammals in which the female typically has a pouch (called the marsupium, from which the name Marsupial derives) in which it rears its young through early infancy. ... World map showing the Americas The Americas are the lands of the Western hemisphere or New World consisting of the continents of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions. ... Binomial name Arctictis binturong (Raffles, 1821) Bearcat redirects here. ... The Old World consists of those parts of Earth known to Europeans before the voyages of Christopher Columbus; it includes Europe, Asia, and Africa (collectively known as Africa-Eurasia), plus surrounding islands. ... Binomial name Arctictis binturong (Raffles, 1821) Bearcat redirects here. ... Borneo (left) and Sulawesi. ... Binomial name Potos flavus (Schreber, 1774) The Kinkajou (Potos flavus), also known as Your Mom, is a nocturnal beastly reptile related to the ringtail and the parrot. ... Binomial name Potos flavus (Schreber, 1774) The Kinkajou (Potos flavus), also known as Your Mom, is a nocturnal beastly reptile related to the ringtail and the parrot. ... Families 17, See classification The diverse and interesting order Carnivora IPA: (from Latin carō (stem carn-) flesh, + vorāre to devour) includes over 260 placental mammals. ... Omnivores are organisms that consume both plants and animals. ...

Animals with partially prehensile tails

Mammals

A Southern Tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla) making use of its prehensile tail

• New World Monkeys. The capuchin monkey. It is interesting to note that the capuchin is more than intelligent enough to make use of a fully prehensile tail, but since the tail lacks an area of bare skin for a good grip it is only used in climbing and dangling. Other reasons for partial prehensility might include the lack of strength or flexibility in the tail, or simply having no need to manipulate objects with it.

• Tree porcupines. The 15 species of tree porcupine divided between 3 genera (Coedou, Sphiggurus, and Echinoprocta). They are found in South America, with one species extending to Mexico. All have prehensile tails.

• Anteaters. Anteaters are found in Central and South America. Three of the four species of anteater, the Silky Anteater and the two species of Tamandua, have prehensile tails

• Rats have been known to be able to wrap the tail around an object after running around it, therefore giving the creature a small bit of balance. They have also been seen to be able to briefly hang off an object, though not for long.

• Tree Pangolin. One of the few Old World mammals with a prehensile tail.

• Possums. This large, diverse group of 63 species forms the marsupial suborder Phalangeriformes, found in Australia, New Guinea, and some nearby islands. All members of the suborder have prehensile tails, however the tails of some members such as the Acrobatidae have only limited prehensile capacity. Notably, all three marsupial glider groups belong to this suborder.

• Potoroidae. A marsupial group found in Australia that includes the bettongs and the poteroos. They have weakly prehensile tails.

• Monito del Monte. A small South American marsupial with a prehensile tail.

Orders Subclass Monotremata Monotremata Subclass Marsupialia Didelphimorphia Paucituberculata Microbiotheria Dasyuromorphia Peramelemorphia Notoryctemorphia Diprotodontia Subclass Placentalia Xenarthra Dermoptera Desmostylia Scandentia Primates Rodentia Lagomorpha Insectivora Chiroptera Pholidota Carnivora Perissodactyla Artiodactyla Cetacea Afrosoricida Macroscelidea Tubulidentata Hyracoidea Proboscidea Sirenia The mammals are the class of vertebrate animals primarily characterized by the presence of mammary... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1026x1704, 125 KB)Photograph by Dirk van der Made (User:DirkvdM - for more photos see user:DirkvdM/Photographs). ... Image File history File linksMetadata Download high resolution version (1026x1704, 125 KB)Photograph by Dirk van der Made (User:DirkvdM - for more photos see user:DirkvdM/Photographs). ... Binomial name Tamandua tetradactyla Linnaeus, 1758 Southern Anteater or Lesser Anteater, Tamandua tetradactyla, is a species of Anteater from South America. ... Binomial name Tamandua tetradactyla Linnaeus, 1758 Southern Anteater or Lesser Anteater, Tamandua tetradactyla, is a species of Anteater from South America. ... Families Cebidae Nyctipithecidae Pitheciidae Atelidae The New World monkeys or Platyrrhines are the four families of primates that are found in Central and South America, the Cebidae, Nyctipithecidae, Pitheciidae and Atelidae. ... Type Species Simia capucina Linnaeus, 1758 Species Cebus capucinus Cebus albifrons Cebus olivaceus Cebus kaapori Cebus apella Cebus libidinosus Cebus nigritus Cebus xanthosternos Cebus queirozi Tufted Capuchin (Cebus apella) The capuchins are the group of New World monkeys classified as genus Cebus. ... Genera  Coendou  Sphiggurus  Erethizon  Echinoprocta The New World porcupines are large terrestrial rodents, distinguished by their spiny covering from which they take their name. ... Species Sphiggurus ichillus Sphiggurus insidiosus Sphiggurus melanurus Sphiggurus mexicanus Sphiggurus pruinosus Sphiggurus roosmalenorum Sphiggurus spinosus Sphiggurus vestitus Sphiggurus villosus Sphiggurus is a genus of porcupine. ... Genera Myrmecophaga Tamandua Cyclopes Anteaters are mammals of the order Xenarthra and the family Myrmecophagidae, commonly known for eating ants and termites. ... Binomial name Cyclopes didactylus (Linnaeus, 1758) Silky Anteater or Pygmy Anteater (Cyclopes didactylus) is a species of anteater from Central and South America ranging from extreme southern Mexico south to Brazil and, possibly, Paraguay. ... Binomial name Tamandua tetradactyla Linnaeus, 1758 Southern Anteater or Lesser Anteater, Tamandua tetradactyla, is a species of Anteater from South America. ... This is an article about wild rats; for pet rats, see Fancy rat Species 50 species; see text *Several subfamilies of Muroids include animals called rats. ... This page is about the computer malfunction called hanging. ... Common Name: Tree Pangolin Kingdom Animalia Phylum Chordata Class Mammalia Order Pholidota Family Manidae Genus Manis Species Tricuspis Scientific Name: Manis tricuspis The pangolin is found in secondary forests and are native to most of mainland and insular Southeast Asia, China, Taiwan, Thailand, India, and Sri Lanka but Manis tricuspis... A possum is any of about 25 small to medium-sized arboreal marsupials native to Australia. ... Superfamilies and Families Phalangeroidea Burramyidae Phalangeridae Petauroida Pseudocheiridae Petauridae Tarsipedidae Acrobatidae A possum is any of about 63 small to medium-sized arboreal marsupials native to Australia. ... Genera Acrobates Distoechurus Acrobatidae is a small family of marsupials contains two genera, each with a single species, the Feathertail Glider (Acrobates pygmaeus) from Australia and Feathertail Possum (Distoechurus pennatus) from New Guinea. ... Genera  Hypsiprymnodon  Aepyprymnus  Bettongia  Caloprymnus  Potorous The marsupial family Potoroidae includes the bettongs, potoroos and rat-kangaroos. ... Binomial name Dromiciops gliroides Thomas, 1894 Synonyms Dromiciops australis The Monito del Monte (little mountain monkey, Dromiciops gliroides) is a semi-arboreal South American marsupial which is thought to be more closely related to the marsupials of Australasia than to those of the Americas. ...

Reptiles

Mediterranean Chameleon (Chamaeleo chamaeleon) using its prehensile tail

• Prehensile tailed skink. Several kinds of skink (e.g. Corucia zebrata) have partially prehensile tails.

• Chameleon lizards.

• Snakes. Many snakes have prehensile tails.

Orders  Crocodilia - Crocodilians scary crocodiles. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (816x608, 209 KB)A chameleon in the Ramon crater, Israel File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (816x608, 209 KB)A chameleon in the Ramon crater, Israel File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Genera many—see text Skinks are the most diverse group of lizards. ... Binomial name Corucia zebrata The Solomon Islands skink (Corucia zebrata) is a territorial species of skink originating from the Solomon Islands. ... Genera Bradypodion Calumma Chamaeleo Furcifer Brookesia Rhampholeon Chameleons (family Chamaeleonidae) are squamates that belong to one of the best-known lizard families. ... Families Acrochordidae Aniliidae Anomalepididae Anomochilidae Atractaspididae Boidae Bolyeriidae Colubridae Cylindrophiidae Elapidae Hydrophiidae Leptotyphlopidae Loxocemidae Pythonidae Tropidophiidae Typhlopidae Uropeltidae Viperidae Xenopeltidae Snakes are cold blooded legless reptiles closely related to lizards, which share the order Squamata. ... For other uses, see Snake (disambiguation). ...

Amphibians

• Salamanders. A number of North American forest-dwelling climbing salamanders have prehensile tails that help them climb. Some are from of the genus Aneides such as the Clouded Salamander (Aneides ferreus), the Wandering Salamander (Aneides vagrans), and the Arboreal Salamander (Aneides lugubris). Others are the large Red Hills Salamander (Phaeognathus hubrichti ) and the Cave Salamander (Eurycea lucifuga). There are also the Central American Bolitoglossa sombra and Mexican and Central American Bolitoglossa mexicana salamanders.

For other uses, see Amphibian (disambiguation). ... Suborders Cryptobranchoidea Salamandroidea Sirenoidea Salamander is the common name applied to approximately 500 amphibians with slender bodies, short legs, and long tails. ... Binomial name Aneides lugubris Aneides lugubris is a species of Arboreal salamanders. ... Binomial name Aneides lugubris Aneides lugubris is a species of Arboreal salamanders. ... Binomial name Phaeognathus hubrichti The Red Hills salamander (Phaeognathus hubrichti) is a fairly large, terrestrial salamander growing to about 255 millimeters. ... Binomial name Proteus anguinus Laurenti, 1768 The Proteus or Olm (Proteus anguinus) is an endemic amphibian animal, found in karst areas of the Dinaric Alps. ...

Fish

• Syngnathidae. Many species from this group, which includes Seahorses and Pipefish, have prehensile tails.

The Guppy (Poecilia reticulata) is one of the most popular freshwater aquarium fish species in the world. ... Syngnathidae is a family of fishes, including seahorses, pipehorse, pipefish and sea dragons, among others. ... Species See text for species. ... Genera Pipefish (Syngnathidae) are small fish, which with the Seahorses form a distinct family. ...

References

1. ^ Life in the Rainforest. Retrieved on 2006-04-15.

2006 (MMVI) is a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... April 15 is the 105th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (106th in leap years). ...

External links

• Canopy life
• More on canopy life