Uh... no.
It's used for balance. You cut the tail off a cat (hypothetically) and they'll have to relearn how to walk and balance without it.
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More options is always a good thing in my book, +1 for me.
They can still have a tail, it's just a little stub which is a naturally occurring genetic mutation within the breed itself similar to the Schnauzer dog breed where they're just little "nubs", but they definitely still qualify as tails. Some can be completely tailless though as you had said earlier.
However, honestly speaking, the tail doesn't entirely control the balance of a cat either as even ones with tails can be extremely non-graceful. I think that's a false idea that the tail of a cat does more to control their grace and balance than their actual brain does.
I've owned cats all of my life, the tail helps, but in no way defines a cat's balance, they can still fall off objects and do stupid things. I have one with a brain deficiency problem actually that affects his motor capabilities, he still has a very nice long tail, unfortunately, that tail is not going to save him from falling off the bed like the doofus he is nor stop him from falling over as he walks. Tails are meant to help them balance on higher places mostly and less for walking/daily routines.
I mixed up my words, I meant prehensile, like acting as an additional limb. Basically, I was indicating that is Miqo'tes were real, they would move their tails to more sensible locations around their bodies; like the saiyans from DBZ. Though if Miqo'te are meat to mimic regular humans in everything but a few key features, their tails would be vestigial, like "ours" lol.
The tail is more like that pole tightrope walkers use to balance themselves, it can be done without it but the pole/tail makes it easier.
Exactly. The tail is meant to help them, as you said. It's a tool and extension of their bodies. A cat can still walk and survive with or without it since the Manx is a breed that does not require or always have a long tail. They can have a partial, stub, or none at all. Not to mention, you'll find strays with shortened or injured tails and they're fine in terms of movement. The only time I've legitimately seen cats needing to relearn how to walk through therapy is when an actual leg is missing or needs to be amputated in some way and even so, some are born without one or both of their front or back legs due to a genetic disease or defect. They find ways to continue moving. Animals can be about as determined and ambitious as human beings sometimes.
Au Ra tails might be tougher, and scalier, but we need tail armor too. :3