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Animals with Two Tails

 

Welcome to the wonderful world of animals with two tails; examples from many species. Animals with two tails are called bicaudal or polycaudal.

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Birds


In 1936 a robin was found with two tails, one the mirror image of the other. There was also a prehistoric bird called Jehalornis that a short functional tail and also a longer one with long feathers that might have been used in displays.

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Cats


Polycaudally (a split tail with two ends) occurs in cats but is very rare.

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Fish -- Split Tail


A number of fish have been bred to have a tail that is split to give the appearance of two tails. For example, the double tail betta.

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Fish -- Two Tails


Others such as the double tail goldfish have two complete tails, side by side. One of the most popular double tail types is the Fantail goldfish (pictured).

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Lizards


Because many species of lizard can regrow their tails, under some circumstance they may grow two tails from the stub of a amputation.

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Mythology


There are many two tailed animals in mythology including mermaids. The two tailed lion appears in heraldry. It appears on the arms of the cities of Heinsburg and Euskirchen (Germany). It is also an emblem of Czechoslovakia. The meaning of the symbol is unclear.

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