Solving the Mystery of Rhino’s Tiny Feet
Researchers have a hard time figuring out how
these huge animals can stand on such dainty feet.
Summary: Some veterinary scientists in the U. K. are trying to discover
how the dainty little pigeon-toed feet of a rhinoceros can support its
huge weight. A rhino can weigh as much as 8,000 pounds (3,600
kilograms), but somehow his feet manages just fine.
The researchers coaxed three white rhinos to walk across a “pressure
pad” embedded with thousands of pressure sensors. The scientists
collected data on how much force the beasts exert on different parts
of their feet as they walk. Initial results show toes feel pressures of up
to 75 pounds per square inch (psi) while the pads on their feet feel 15
psi.
"Impressively, the peak pressures aren't that different from human feet
(similar range of values), although the timing and distribution of
pressures around the feet surely are different to some degree we
haven't yet quantified," said John Hutchinson, professor of evolutionary
biomechanics at the Royal Veterinary College
The scientists are also comparing how the locomotion of rhinoceroses
differs from that of other large animals like elephants. Compared to the
column-like legs of elephants, rhinos’ legs are thinner and splay out into
larger circular pads tipped with three rigid toes. Their bodies look like
they are teetering on four saplings. The two animals carry their weight
differently too. "Rhinos put more pressure on the inside [edge] of their
feet; elephants on the outside, which is weird and we don't really
understand it yet," Hutchinson said.
Because the rhinoceroses proved somewhat reluctant to follow the
directions of the researchers, what good is this research? Hutchinson
said the project could help detect and treat abnormal foot pressure
patterns in rhinos that could indicate health problems, potentially a
serious issue with large land mammals. Secondly, learning how rhinos
carry their bulk with minimal pressure on the feet could help engineers
design heavy load lifters, “but we still have a ways to go before we can
really suggest new inspirations for design."
To read the entire article, click on YAHOO NEWS.
Comment: I hope followers of this blog are not getting bored with the
frequent stories that point out evidence of “intelligent design” in various
creatures. But the more stories like this one which get reported, the
harder it is to continue to insist that living organisms are nothing more
than the result of natural processes.
Here we have a huge animal which doesn’t look like it should be able to
stand up on its relatively skinny legs, but it does and it does so without
complaining. We can hear the amazement in Mr. Hutchinson’s
comments about this ability being “weird and we don’t really understand
it yet.” As for the possibility engineers might copy this design when
planning for new and improved heavy load lifters, Mr. Hutchinson
indicated scientists still have a ways to go yet in completely
understanding the rhino and its locomotion and how its design can be
used by human inventors.
The practice of studying nature in order to design human “inventions”
and new ways of doing things is known as biomimicry or bionics. Again,
there are so many examples of biomimicry, one wonders why humans,
the most advanced species, are able to learn so many lessons from
these less-advanced species if evolution is true.
When commenting on the wickedness of the citizens of Jerusalem during
His time, Jesus made reference to another well-designed albeit lowly
creature, the chicken. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets
and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your
children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you
were not willing“ (Matthew 23:37).
Like the compassion a hen has for her chicks, Jesus has compassion for
all of us. We can run away from Him if we wish, but not if we care about
our futures. “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD
has compassion on those who fear him” (Psalm 103:13). And Jesus had
so much compassion for us, He died on a cross so we could be saved.
Researchers have a hard time figuring out how
these huge animals can stand on such dainty feet.
Summary: Some veterinary scientists in the U. K. are trying to discover
how the dainty little pigeon-toed feet of a rhinoceros can support its
huge weight. A rhino can weigh as much as 8,000 pounds (3,600
kilograms), but somehow his feet manages just fine.
The researchers coaxed three white rhinos to walk across a “pressure
pad” embedded with thousands of pressure sensors. The scientists
collected data on how much force the beasts exert on different parts
of their feet as they walk. Initial results show toes feel pressures of up
to 75 pounds per square inch (psi) while the pads on their feet feel 15
psi.
"Impressively, the peak pressures aren't that different from human feet
(similar range of values), although the timing and distribution of
pressures around the feet surely are different to some degree we
haven't yet quantified," said John Hutchinson, professor of evolutionary
biomechanics at the Royal Veterinary College
The scientists are also comparing how the locomotion of rhinoceroses
differs from that of other large animals like elephants. Compared to the
column-like legs of elephants, rhinos’ legs are thinner and splay out into
larger circular pads tipped with three rigid toes. Their bodies look like
they are teetering on four saplings. The two animals carry their weight
differently too. "Rhinos put more pressure on the inside [edge] of their
feet; elephants on the outside, which is weird and we don't really
understand it yet," Hutchinson said.
Because the rhinoceroses proved somewhat reluctant to follow the
directions of the researchers, what good is this research? Hutchinson
said the project could help detect and treat abnormal foot pressure
patterns in rhinos that could indicate health problems, potentially a
serious issue with large land mammals. Secondly, learning how rhinos
carry their bulk with minimal pressure on the feet could help engineers
design heavy load lifters, “but we still have a ways to go before we can
really suggest new inspirations for design."
To read the entire article, click on YAHOO NEWS.
Comment: I hope followers of this blog are not getting bored with the
frequent stories that point out evidence of “intelligent design” in various
creatures. But the more stories like this one which get reported, the
harder it is to continue to insist that living organisms are nothing more
than the result of natural processes.
Here we have a huge animal which doesn’t look like it should be able to
stand up on its relatively skinny legs, but it does and it does so without
complaining. We can hear the amazement in Mr. Hutchinson’s
comments about this ability being “weird and we don’t really understand
it yet.” As for the possibility engineers might copy this design when
planning for new and improved heavy load lifters, Mr. Hutchinson
indicated scientists still have a ways to go yet in completely
understanding the rhino and its locomotion and how its design can be
used by human inventors.
The practice of studying nature in order to design human “inventions”
and new ways of doing things is known as biomimicry or bionics. Again,
there are so many examples of biomimicry, one wonders why humans,
the most advanced species, are able to learn so many lessons from
these less-advanced species if evolution is true.
When commenting on the wickedness of the citizens of Jerusalem during
His time, Jesus made reference to another well-designed albeit lowly
creature, the chicken. “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets
and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your
children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you
were not willing“ (Matthew 23:37).
Like the compassion a hen has for her chicks, Jesus has compassion for
all of us. We can run away from Him if we wish, but not if we care about
our futures. “As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD
has compassion on those who fear him” (Psalm 103:13). And Jesus had
so much compassion for us, He died on a cross so we could be saved.
LSI Blog - Friday, Jan. 20, 2012
