blacktailed

Blacktailed is a descriptive term used in common names across a variety of animal species to denote a noticeably dark or black tail. It is not a scientific taxon or unified group; rather, it appears independently in multiple, unrelated lineages to highlight a distinctive tail feature.

In mammals, several well-known species bear the name black-tailed. The black-tailed jackrabbit (Lepus californicus) is a large hare native to western North America. The black-tailed deer (Odocoileus hemionus), often referred to as a mule deer, is found in western North America and shows a characteristic dark tail. The black-tailed prairie dog (Cynomys ludovicianus) inhabits North American grasslands and has a tail that appears dark from above.

In birds, the term appears in names such as the black-tailed gull (Larus crassirostris), which breeds in coastal regions of East Asia and parts of Russia, and the black-tailed godwit (Limosa limosa), a wading bird with a distinctive dark tail in many plumages. Additional regional examples exist in other families, typically tied to a tail coloration or pattern used for quick field identification.

The use of “blacktailed” varies by region and taxonomy, and it may be hyphenated or spaced differently in common usage. While it helps describe a notable morphological trait, it does not imply a close evolutionary relationship among all species that carry the name. For precise identification, range, behavior, and ecological context, it is important to consult species-specific literature.