Prehensile Tail
A tail that can grab and hold onto things, like an extra hand.
What is it?
A prehensile tail is a tail that can wrap around branches or other objects to help an animal climb or hold on. Animals with prehensile tails include monkeys, opossums, chameleons, and the black tree monitor. The black tree monitor uses its prehensile tail as a fifth limb to grip branches while climbing.
Why it matters
Prehensile tails are a special adaptation for life in the trees. They help animals move safely and stay balanced.
Where you've seen it
This list grows as you capture more animals with prehensile tails.
