This would make it highly susceptible to infection and substantially increase its mortality rate so much so that I would be surprised if a number of parasites DIDN'T adapt specifically to inflict themselves onto this particular animal. Dirt, mud, algae, moss, fecal matter, bugs, parasites, and any amoeba etc. This suggests that having 9 tails as described would create a host of other issues that are not in your animal's best interest.ĭragging your tail on the ground while walking would get it COVERED in crud all the time. all have hairy tails, but those tails are either short enough to avoid the ground or are held aloft as the animal moves.

Cats (big and small), dogs (big and small), horses (and related animals), etc. I think it is interesting that I cannot think of another mammal with a hairy tail that allows its tail to drag on the ground. You could offset the lost prey percentage by heightening one of their senses vs. Yes, there are probably events where the predator needs that maneuverability, but they should be edge cases. If that thing gets behind you, causing you to turn around, it has already demonstrated that it is faster or more agile than you are and is going to get away anyway. Tails that drag behind you are unlikely to be tripped over while chasing something. Pouncing on prey has already been solved thanks to IndigoFenix's help (thanks for that) and also has running thanks to GrinningX. Other question is how long the tails should be? The problem is that the tails could be a nuisance when stalking, pouncing or chasing after prey as the fox could easily trick over of the tails.

While for some species, they are used for shade for desert species, as a blanket for extra warmth for both tundra and mountain species, as a form of hierarchy for pack-hunting ones, balance and for one cat-sized species that lives in the swamps whose tips of their tails have been stiffen and tangled with insects to help lure in fish near the water, like a fishing rod. To start the extra tails are actually massive dreads of matted fur extending from the hindquarter which are religiously groomed and stretched with teeth and tongue to resemble a real tail.Īt the base of the tails there are long, thick hairs which are similar to spines of a hedgehog or a porcupine which help erect them as the fox flares the tails up in a shimmering fan position, which helps with both sexual display and aposematic display. In case you're wondering, this is for a speculative evolution book I'm doing which is suppose to build a structure for a novel series about these foxes (something like Watership Down or Warrior cats).

Real 9 tailed fox