Human hands are exclusively developed parts of the body that can perform complex manipulations. They can even provide communication - if you recall the language of the deaf-mute. Someone believes that the animal's paws can only serve as a support for a simple linear movement, and they simply can not have any features. But this is not at all true. To make sure the complexity of the device of these parts of the body, it will be enough to consider just a few amazing facts.
So, even performing the function of movement, the limbs can have amazing features. And there can be five points of support for a living creature. What can surprise the animal kingdom in this direction?
Geckos and their unique paws
One of the most amazing creatures in this regard are geckos. These small lizards easily run on the ceiling, because the tips of their fingers are clusters of suction cups on the villi, and can hold the creature’s weight on almost any surface. The properties of the paws of these animals, as well as their work as suction cups, surprised and inspired scientists so much that after a detailed study several designs were created based on the results.
So, the European Space Agency has created unique suction cups for astronauts, which allow you to move around the ship and carry out repairs without the risk of being lost in outer space.And it was also possible to create surgical glue and adhesive bandages that allow healing of postoperative wounds without the risk of toxic effects.
“Spare paw" of monkeys
In South America, there is a chain-tailed monkey that uses the tail as a fifth limb. She can freely hang on it, collecting fruits, doing her other daily chores, and having all 4 limbs at her disposal. Her tail is very flexible, strong, which makes it as convenient as possible to use. Some poisonous lizards, as well as snakes, use the tail in the same way.
Multifunction fingers
Lemurs ay-ay live in Madagascar, and they also have a completely unique paw structure. They are also called arms. The fingers on their paws are long, like the claws, which looks a little frightening. Middle fingers are especially developed. A hungry animal taps tree trunks with them in search of voids where insects can live. Unique hearing allows the larva to be detected even deep beneath the bark. If the movement of a living creature is detected, the lemur bites the bark and penetrates under it with its middle finger, getting an insect.
This is a completely harmless insectivorous creature, but the locals are unfriendly to it. Meeting with ay-ai is considered a bad sign, because of which they are actively exterminated.
Travel Frogs and Moles
Helen the frog can fly. More precisely, she knows how to soar from tree to tree, using her paws, which have large membranes.These are small creatures of no more than 9 cm in size, which were first discovered in Vietnam. But overly developed paws have by no means only these creatures.
The mole-bearer who lives in Canada and the USA can surprise with this feature. They have an additional crescent-shaped finger, which is absolutely necessary for fast and efficient digging of holes. After all, this creature digs passages underground, not only in order to live in them, but also in search of food. The amazing finger of moles has no joints, becoming a stiff support when working with shovel-like paws, and making each movement more effective. Studies have shown that this finger develops from the carpal bones.
Thus, the limbs of some animals can be even more amazing than the hands of a person. Nature surprises with its experiments!
