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This is the animal with the longest tail in the world, growing even longer than its body

Scientifically speaking, the term "tail" usually refers to a flexible extension of the backbone, so it’s inherently a vertebrate feature, containing bones and often linked to the spine.

Explore the common thresher shark—celebrated for sporting what may be the longest vertebrate tail on Earth. (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

If you’re into marine wildlife, this shark might just blow your mind. The common thresher shark (Alopias vulpinus) is famous for having one of the longest tails in the animal kingdom. In fact, its tail can be as long as, or even longer than, its entire body. Some individuals have tails that stretch up to 3 meters, which is pretty wild when you think about it.

Scientifically speaking, the term “tail” usually refers to a flexible extension of the backbone, so it’s inherently a vertebrate feature, containing bones and often linked to the spine. In invertebrates—like scorpions, insects, or snails—”tails” aren’t real tails in the bony sense, but rather tail-like or terminal appendages that serve various functions, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica. So when biologists talk about an animal with the longest tail, they’re very much referring to the category of vertebrates.

And in the case of the common thresher shark, it’s more than just a strange quirk of nature, but rather a hunting tool for them.

As far as size goes, the common thresher is no lightweight (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

Thresher sharks use their tail like a whip to stun small fish like sardines or anchovies. Marine researchers have caught this behaviour on camera in the waters off Southern California, as per WIRED. Out of 33 observed threshers, 14 were seen smacking baitfish with impressive precision. Some flicked their tails quickly by moving their whole body, while others used a fast sideways strike. That second method? It worked about 92% of the time, which is incredibly efficient for a predator.

As far as size goes, the common thresher is no lightweight. Adults can grow up to 6 meters long and weigh over 500 kilograms. It’s actually the largest of the three thresher species. But don’t worry, it’s not considered dangerous to humans. Their teeth are relatively small, and they’re known to be pretty shy when approached by divers.

These sharks are found in both tropical and temperate waters all over the world. They like hanging out both near the coast and in the open ocean, sometimes diving as deep as 550 meters. Unfortunately, they’re not doing so well in the wild. Because they reproduce slowly and often get caught in fishing gear, they’re listed as “vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List.

So next time someone asks you what animal has the longest tail, you’ll know the answer. And now you also know that tail isn’t just for show, it’s an incredible evolutionary tool that helps the thresher shark thrive in its deep-sea world.

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