Editing Squirrel (section)

=== Tail ===
The purposes of squirrels' tails, to benefit the squirrel, include:<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.nutsaboutsquirrels.com/1695/why-do-squirrels-have-bushy-tails/|title=Why do squirrels have bushy tails? &#124; Nuts About Squirrels}}</ref>

* To keep rain, wind, or cold off itself.
* To cool off when hot, by pumping more blood through its tail.
* As a counterbalance when jumping about in trees
* As a [[parachute]] when jumping.
* To signal with.

The hairs from squirrel tails are prized in [[fly fishing]] when tying [[fishing flies]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Genova |first=Cosmo |date=2022-01-11 |title=How to Preserve a Squirrel Pelt For Fly Tying |url=https://www.fieldandstream.com/fishing/preserve-squirrel-pelt-fly-tying/ |access-date=2024-06-01 |website=Field & Stream |language=en-US}}</ref> Squirrel hair is very fine, making it better for tying fishing flies.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Valla |first=Mike |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0AVDDQAAQBAJ&dq=%22squirrel+tail%22+%22guard+hair%22&pg=PA45 |title=Tying and Fishing Bucktails and Other Hair Wings: Atlantic Salmon Flies to Steelhead Flies |date=2016-09-05 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-0-8117-6532-9 |language=en}}</ref>

When the squirrel sits upright, its tail folded up its back may stop predators looking from behind from seeing the characteristic shape of a small mammal.