Sanctuary | Natural History
Sanctuary | Natural History
Understanding physics is not the domain of
human scientists alone. The ability to live, evolve and
thrive in any ecological niche clearly requires the animal to
imbibe the laws of physics apart from those of the jungle.
Geckos are one group of animals that have got this down
pat. On the one hand, Van der Waal’s physical forces are
at play at the molecular level, allowing them to stick to
and move across even the most polished solid surfaces
eff ortlessly using microscopic hair-like projections on their
toe-pads. The gecko in the picture of the newly-describedWater Walker
Photographer: Sushil Chikane
Location: Satara, Maharashtra
Camera: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV , Tamron 90 mm. f/2.8 Di Macro 1:1 272EE, Shutter speed: 1/200 sec., Aperture: f/9, ISO: 800, Focal length: 90 mm.
Image taken: August 24, 2017, 12:14 p.m.species, Cnemaspis girii, exhibits quite a diff erent kind of
ability – walking on the surface of water by tapping into
yet another of the universe’s physical properties - surface
tension. Simply put, due to the cohesive nature of the water
molecules, the molecules at the water’s surface bond and
form an air-water interface that can, up to a point, resist
breaking under weight or force. Animals, such as this tiny day
gecko, exploit this property of liquids and are able to navigate
across waterbodies without swimming. We understand the
theory... the real magic is theirs for they apply it!