Reality Check: Plausibility of a new kind of sentient alien race: Split prehensile tail, quadrupedal, very floofy!

In building an sentient alien that is unique among the sea of humanoids, I aspire to explore quadrupeds. For a quick visual reference, this is what I have:

proportions are definitely off, but in reality they'd probably be more bear or cat-shaped, or some mixture of the two

Key features:

• Split prehensile tail
• Size of a polar bear
• Adapted to cold climates

The main thing I'm having issues with is the prehensile tail. For this species, it's the key to their tool use and advancement to a sentient race. However, aside from a best-case-scenario arboreal evolution history, I'm having difficulties justifying a possible evolutionary path that leads to a split in the tail, resulting in two dexterous "tentacles". So, the first set of questions is thus: is a prehensile tail even a plausible way to use tools and advance? If so, could a prehensile tail "split" as shown? Even if it's possible to split the tail, is this even necessary to allow the species to effectively use tools?

As a side thought, I'm also taking into account the rest of the creature's physiology. Humans do not have fur or a thick layer of blubber to keep us warm; that costs energy. Energy that could be better used to enhance the brain. So, even with a thick layer of fur, could this race still have enough energy to attain sentience?

To be on the same page, I use sentience in this fashion: intelligent enough to form complex social networks that turn herds or packs into tribes, and then into towns, cities, and nations.

posted about 5 years ago

Duncan‭

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