Elephants’ legs work like a four-wheel drive vehicle, making them probably unique in the animal kingdom, scientists said on Tuesday.
Their “four Legform drive” system means power applies whether each limb.
All other animals fours’re thinking have “” rear-Legform drive where hind used for acceleration while forelegs more used for braking.
“We developed some new techniques for looking animal motion can change the way opinion locomotion other animals-said study leader John Hutchinson, Royal College Vets in London.
“We showed we legs elephant function very strange and unique probably ways. Even capsized some of our own ideas anterior about elephants.
“Our measurements have also provided basic data be useful on clinical elephants as problems lameness common.”
Researchers studied movements six elephants young Asian using motion technology-capture tridimensional.
Elephants were ridden different speeds along a footbridge rigged with platforms sensitive vigor.
Scientists found each limb were used for both braking and accelerating.
His legs showed be slightly “bouncy” especially when running rapids that made their legs two until three times less mechanically efficient expected – hence slow other animals many.
“Surprisingly elephants use forelimbs and posterior similar braking roles propulsive not dividing these functions between limbs as was assumed previously or as elsewhere quadrupeds,” wrote scientists magazine Proceedings National Academy Science.
“Thus his function limb is analogous to vehicles wheels.”
thanks verry good