Tail signals is a skill first used and invented by ShadowClan, but this system of the signals are now used by all Clans. Generally, the leader of the patrol, whether hunting or border patrolling, is responsible for giving the signals; warriors and apprentices learn many tail signals, and to keep the leader's tail in sight at all times and react at once when an order is given.[1]
Tail signals[]
| Signal | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Tail held erect | Stop[1] |
| Tail rippling | Move forward slowly - with care[1] |
| Tail held erect and sweeping slowly from side to side | Retreat silently[1] |
| Tail pointing low, parallel to the ground and sweeping | Spread out[1] |
| Tail flattened | Get down[1] |
| Tail bobbing | Enemy sighted[1] |
| Tail hooked | Danger[1] |
| Tail pointed sharply | Go that way[1] |
| Tail held erect and waving from side to side | Stay behind me[1] |
| Tail kinked over back | Follow me[1] |
| Tail flicking over back | Leave, but be careful[1] |
| Tail tip facing other way |
Attack[1] |
| Kink tail |
Attack[2] |
Tail flicks[]
A tail flick can be used in many ways. It can mean, "Follow me," "I heard you," or even, "Be quiet!" Listed below are some different situations:
- A sharp flick and an agitated expression usually means the cat is annoyed, irritated, or impatient.[3]
- A bristle and a sharp flick of your tail usually means "Get over here now! I'm angry with you!"[3]
- A flick and jerking your head in a certain direction means "Meet me to the bushes at your left" or "Sneak out of camp with me through the brambles to the right."[4]
- If you call out to someone and their back is to you, they can flick their tail to show that they've heard.[5]
- Sticking your tail straight up in the air and flicking it sharply down means "Sit!"[5]
- An eye-roll and a flick of the tail means "Whatever."[4]
- A mrrow of laughter and a flick of a tail means "That was a good joke."[6]
- Saying, "Oh, fox-dung, I gotta go!" and flicking your tail means "Sorry! Talk to you later?" or "Yikes! I've gotta go use the dirtplace!"[7]
- Flicking your tail at someone and making a face means "What is wrong with them?"[8]
- A sharp flick of your tail during battle can mean two things; it can mean "Attack!" or "Help me!"[9]
- A shrug followed by a tail flick: "Oh well."[10]
- Putting a tail over another cat's mouth means "Shut up, mouse-brain!" when the flick/movement is sharp or "Please, quiet" when the cat is talking too much.[11]
- A flick in a certain direction can emphasize that they've got to go or look there.[12][13]
- A normal flick can just be caused in amusement.[8]
- A tail flick can be a way to vent anger or rage.[9]
- Sometimes a cat can flick their tail when about to say something funny or sarcastic.[14][15]
- A tail flick can also be executed in an arrogant, conceited, or contemptuous manner.[16]
- Anxiety is another feeling that can trigger stiff tail flicks.[17]
- Though many tail flicks occur in rash emotions, the tail can also be flicked happily.[18]
- A tail flick can mean that the cat is bored.[19]
- The tail can be flicked playfully on another cat's muzzle.[20]
- A flick executed in the air can change the direction the cat will land.[21]
- The need to protect can also be demonstrated by a tail flick.[22]
- A cat may flick their tail to prompt something.[23]
- The tail can be flicked in a proud manner.[24]
- A cat may also flick their tail when about to give them a lecture on what is right.[25]
- Eagerness can cause tail flicks as well.[26]
- A tail flicking one way, then the other is used when one is to surround a cat with others.[27]
Other[]
There are several other motions that can be done with the tail. Listed below are some different situations:
- Stroking another cat's spine or shoulder with the tail is a sign of affection or sympathy.[12][28] Stroking on the cheek has the same meaning.[29]
- Lashing their own tail usually happens in times of anger.[30] However, this can also be a sign of excitement.[31]
- Wrapping their tail around another cat shows affection or the need to protect. Mother cats often wrap their tail around their kit(s).[32][33]
- The tail can also show different emotions; a drooped tail, for instance, usually means the cat is sad.[34]
- When first starting to hunt, it is instinct to swish their tail, but in order to catch prey properly, the tail must be kept still.[35]
- Swishing their tail can mean that the cat is very excited and ecstatic.[36] It can also be a sign of commencing an action[37] or contemplating an important decision.[38]
- Lifting their tail up is a form of composure, just as we humans sit up to recompose ourselves.[39]
- The tail can be used to brush another cat away if they're not wanted.[40] However, it can also be used for the opposite: to beckon a cat closer.[41][42]
- When a cat cares for another cat, they can smooth their fur with the brush of the tail.[43]
- A cat can whisk their tail when being conceited to show that they know everything.[44]
- Twitching their tail can be a sign that they are skeptical about something.[45]
- Crossly whipping their tail is a demonstration of anger.[46]
Gallery[]
Tail signals[]
Danger
Follow me
Spread out
Stop
See also[]
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 Revealed in Battles of the Clans, page 29
- ↑ Revealed in Yellowfang's Secret, page 128
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 66
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 32
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Revealed in The Sight, page 94
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 10
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 43
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 14
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 22
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 100
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 124
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 3
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 144
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 53
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 227
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 98
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 171
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 240
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 260
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 319
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 326
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 340
- ↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 39
- ↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 63
- ↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 219
- ↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 273
- ↑ Revealed in Tallstar's Revenge, page 81
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 19
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 163
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 18
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 211
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 52
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 139
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 65
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 87
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 97
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 212
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 411
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 147
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 204
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 47
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 376
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 318
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 320
- ↑ Revealed in Crookedstar's Promise, page 385
- ↑ Revealed in Bluestar's Prophecy, page 71