Melissa Stewart - Talented Tails Up Close

What's a Tail For?

Did you know that a spider monkey can use its tail like an extra hand? Or that squirrels use their tails for balance? Learn all about how animals use their tails to move, balance, and stay safe.

"Readers of all agesbut especially early readers will find these fact-filled books fascinating!"

"From the end of the nose to the tip of the tail and many stops in between, this series introduces young listeners to a variety of interesting details among a diversity of organisms."

About the Author

Trained as both a scientist and journalist, Melissa Stewart is the award-winning author of more than 100 books for young readers. While gathering information for her books, Melissa has explored tropical forests in Costa Rica, gone on safari in Kenya and Tanzania, and swum with sea lions in the Galpagos Islands.

predator (PREH duh tur)An animal that hunts and kills other animals for food.

tailbone (TEYL bohn)A small triangle-shaped bone at the bottom of a persons backbone.

Animals use their tails in all kinds of ways. This monkey uses its tail like an extra hand. The tail can pick fruit off of trees. It also helps the monkey swing from branch to branch.

Look at this beavers big, flat tail. It is perfect for steering through the water.

When a beaver feels scared, it slaps its tail against the water. The loud sound warns other beavers.

What does this snake do when there is danger? It shakes the tip of its tail. The rattling sound sends out a message. It says, Stay away. Im full of poison.

A shark is a fish. Its strong tail pushes it through the water. A sharks tail bends from side to side as it swims through the sea.

How does a squirrel use its tail? To balance on tree branches. And to land safely when it jumps.

But thats not all the tail does. When it rains, a squirrel uses its tail like an umbrella. On cold nights, the tail makes a good blanket.

A platypus (PLAH tih puhs) stores fat in its tail. It uses the fat when it cant find food. The tail makes a good paddle, too. It helps a platypus swim.

After a female lays eggs, she curls her tail around them. Thats how she keeps the eggs warm.

How does this lizard stay safe? It has a trick. When predators attack, the skinks bright blue tail falls off. And it keeps on wriggling! That gives the skink a chance to run away.

You are an animal too. You dont have a tail, but you do have a tailbone. It helps you balance when you are sitting down.

Match the answer to the question. Each answer is used only once. Look at the pictures for clues. Write your answers on a piece of paper.