A cat's tail may seem short, but it holds many hidden secrets. We mostly know that a cat's tail helps it maintain balance while walking, and because it's soft and pleasant to the touch, it's often the object of our affectionate petting and playing with our cats. However, recently, a new and amazing function seems to have been discovered about cats' tails: do they use them to fish?
It's common knowledge that cats have a special fondness for fish. If owners treat their cats to a fish feast, the cats will likely devour it, leaving not even bones behind. So, could this interest in fish be an instinct that allows cats to use their tails to fish when needed? 
However, we also know that humans need tools to fish, so can cats really catch fish from the water using only their tails or paws? Many people doubt this legend. But a video circulating online actually records a kitten fishing with its tail. After lingering by a stream for a while, the yellow tabby kitten squatted on a rock in the middle of the river and dipped its tail into the rushing water, waving it back and forth. A moment later, it nimbly leaped forward, taking two steps, with a fish in its tail. Even when the kitten ran ashore, the fish was still in its tail, but it soon became the kitten's meal.
Many netizens commented after seeing the post, "Most cats are terrified of water; they're horrified even by a little bit. My cat makes a huge fuss about wanting a bath; would they ever willingly approach water?" Others remarked, "Fish have brains too. When fishing, we have to use such delicious bait to outsmart them; how could a cat's tail possibly fool a fish?"
Actually, cats have many ways of catching fish. The most common way is to use their paws to scoop them up. Cats can scoop fish up quickly with their paws, and most cats can do this without the fish even realizing it. However, using their tails to scoop fish up is a specialty of some wild and more intelligent cats. There are also different ways to use their tails to scoop fish up. The one shown in the video is where the fish bites the tail and is lifted directly ashore. Another way is to use the tail to stir up the water, and when the fish gets close, flick the tail to bring the fish ashore.
However, some experts say that stories of cats fishing are not common in cities because cats have been domesticated and are used to eating cat food and other similar foods, and domestic cats no longer have this wild hunting ability.
Actually, we can think about why cats are interested in fish. Besides the delicious taste of fish, fish contain a substance called taurine, which has three functions for cats:
1. Taurine is very important for a cat's eyesight. If a cat lacks taurine, it will be unable to see at night, and in severe cases, it may even lead to blindness.
2. It can improve a cat's fertility. If a female cat lacks taurine during pregnancy, the chances of stillbirth are greatly increased.
3. It can prevent bloated cardiomyopathy in cats.
Due to the differences in their physical constitutions, dogs can synthesize taurine in their bodies, but cats do not have this ability, so they need to obtain it from their food to meet their body's needs.
