Yes, pandas do have tails, but they are often overlooked due to their large, round bodies and the tail’s inconspicuous size (Physical Characteristics of the Giant Panda). When a giant panda is first born, it has a small, pink, mouse-like appearance. At this stage, its tail is relatively long and thin, covered with sparse white fur. The tail’s length can be as much as one-quarter of the panda’s body length, which makes it quite noticeable on their tiny bodies.
Around one month after birth, the panda cub begins to develop its signature black-and-white fur pattern and starts to resemble the fluffy, adorable creature we are familiar with. By this time, the tail has grown thick white fur, blending more with the panda’s plump body. As the panda continues to grow, its body enlarges significantly, but the tail’s length increases at a much slower rate. The tail becomes wider and flatter, transitioning from the long, thin tail seen at birth to a short, flat tail. By adulthood, the panda’s tail is usually less than one-tenth the length of its body, measuring around 20 centimeters (about 8 inches), making it easy to miss.
Although pandas’ tails don’t wag like a dog’s or cat’s, they still play an important role in the panda’s life. Pandas use their tails primarily for scent marking. At the base of the tail, there is a patch of bare skin that contains their anal glands. These glands secrete a unique scent, which pandas use to communicate with each other. By lifting their tails and rubbing this area on surfaces, pandas leave scent marks in their territory. These scent markings convey important information to other pandas, such as identity, gender, and reproductive status. This “silent communication” is essential for pandas, especially in the wild, where visual or vocal contact with others might be limited.
While the panda’s tail may not be very expressive, you might still notice it being lifted frequently. A panda will often raise its tail straight up when it is about to defecate, a behavior that may look like a sign of concentration. So, even though the tail is small and doesn’t move much, it serves important functions in the life of a giant panda.