209: Detachable Tails
Brain Junk
English - May 03, 2022 09:24 - 4 minutes - 4.11 MB - ★★★★★ - 33 ratingsNatural Sciences Science Society & Culture Homepage Download Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed
Previous Episode: 208: Thunderclappers
Next Episode: 210: Ancient Prosthetic Eye
In cases of emergency, lizards pop off their tails to get away. Evolution made it possible for that tail to stay on when tugged but not twisted. It all comes down to physiology and a cool adaptation called nanopores.
Close up of the nanopores and detached tail: image from NAVAJIT S. BABAN/NEW YORK UNIVERSITY ABU DHABI