What is it called when rats intertwine their tails? - briefly
The behavior is termed «tail intertwining». It denotes the mutual coiling of rodents’ tails during social contact.
What is it called when rats intertwine their tails? - in detail
Rats occasionally link their tails in a behavior commonly described as «tail intertwining». This action involves the distal portions of two individuals’ tails wrapping around each other, often forming a loose knot or spiral. The phenomenon is observed primarily during close social interactions such as grooming, mating, or cooperative nesting.
Key characteristics:
- Physical mechanics – Muscular control of the caudal vertebrae allows precise flexion, enabling the tails to coil around one another without causing injury.
- Social context – Occurs most frequently between mates or between a mother and her offspring, facilitating tactile bonding and coordination during nest construction.
- Species prevalence – Documented in several Rattus species, including the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) and the black rat (Rattus rattus), with higher incidence in captive colonies where space constraints increase physical contact.
- Physiological implications – Tail intertwining may stimulate the release of oxytocin-like peptides, reinforcing affiliative behavior and reducing stress responses.
- Evolutionary perspective – The practice likely evolved as a low‑cost mechanism for strengthening pair bonds and enhancing offspring survival through cooperative nest maintenance.
Observational studies indicate that the duration of tail linking correlates with the stability of the social pair, while abrupt termination often precedes aggressive encounters. Understanding this behavior contributes to broader insights into rodent social structures and the role of tactile communication in mammalian bonding.