Secrets of Sticky Gecko Feet Revealed
by Ella Davies
Sure-footed lizards and beetles keep their feet dry to secure their grip, according to scientists. Previous studies have attributed both species’ remarkable ‘sticking power’ to microscopic hairs on their feet. These hairs are attracted to surfaces by the forces between molecules, creating a strong footing. Two studies now suggest that the animals ‘walk on air’ to overcome wet surfaces, trapping bubbles between these tiny hairs.
Researchers from the University of Akron, Ohio, US, put tokay geckos through their paces in the lab. Their results are published in the Journal of Experimental Biology.
To test the tropical geckos’ powers of adhesion when dry, the team lowered them onto a sheet of glass. Once a strong bond had been made scientists gently pulled the harnessed lizard away from the glass using a small motor. The steadfast reptiles only became unstuck at forces around 20 times their own body weight. But when water was introduced to the environment, their sticking power was really put to the test…
(read more: BBC Nature)