Opinions and thoughts on how I'm approaching this (Tail on Character)

TotoO

Well, I'm making a 3D Rodentlike for a video game and I was thinking about having a separate model with the upper tail, instead of on having it on the main one with the rest of the body., for having a different material/effect on it. But I'm not sure if it is the right way or it can be inconvenient later on. I'm talking about animation, overlapping in-game or just no the ideal way.  Thanks! =p