The Mystery of How Frogs Stick to Wet, Slippery Surfaces Has Been Unraveled by Scientists.
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Photo: BBC |
The research team from Germany and the UK explored how frogs are able to cling to smooth surfaces without slipping, despite their wet feet making this ability even more challenging.
The study of tree-dwelling frog species revealed that the pads on their toes contain tiny projections that directly adhere to surfaces, creating friction. This direct contact occurs even when the frogs’ feet are coated with a layer of mucus. The findings could assist scientists in developing anti-slip devices.
Dr. Jon Barnes, a lead researcher from the University of Glasgow, stated: “Large motorcycles are much bigger than frogs, but on a microscopic level, you have to wonder if they would still be effective if scaled up 100 times. You could make it work, but there’s no guarantee of success. I believe there are more useful devices, especially smaller ones.”
M.T.
