Unique seal swimming patterns could inspire new underwater drones
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Unique seal swimming patterns could inspire new underwater drones
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While biologists have long known that seals and sea lions have had two different methods for swimming, the reason behind this has been a mystery.
By using cutting-edge engineering alongside footage of animal behaviour, scientists can now explain the origins of efficient swimming in the animals.
Seals and sea lions are fast-swimming ocean predators that use their flippers to “fly” through the water.
But not all seals are the same – some use their front flippers to swim, while others propel themselves with their back feet.
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New research combines cutting-edge engineering with animal behaviour to explain the origins of efficient swimming in Nature’s underwater acrobats: Seals and Sea Lions.
Seals and sea lions are fast swimming ocean predators that use their flippers to literally fly through the water. But not all seals are the same: some swim with their front flippers while others propel themselves with their back feet.
In Australia, there are fur seals and sea lions that have wing-like front flippers specialised for swimming, while in the Northern Hemisphere, grey and harbor seals have stubby, clawed paws and swim with their feet. But the reasons why these two different ways of swimming evolved has perplexed biologists for generations. Is one style better than the other?
Monash University
Video: vision of seals swimming in zoos with explanations
Graphic:seal species and their flippers
Graphic: Seal flipper anatomy
Image: Leopard seal flipper and 3D models
New research combines cutting-edge engineering with animal behaviour to explain the origins of efficient swimming in Nature’s underwater acrobats: Seals and Sea Lions.
Seals and sea lions are fast swimming ocean predators that use their flippers to literally fly through the water. But not all seals are the same: some swim with their front flippers while others propel themselves with their back feet.
In Australia, we have fur seals and sea lions that have wing-like front flippers specialised for swimming, while in the Northern Hemisphere, grey and harbor seals have stubby, clawed paws and swim with their feet. But the reasons why these two different ways of swimming evolved has perplexed biologists for generations. Is one style better than the other?
Researchers have discovered how seals and sea lions evolved to swim.
The findings could have potential implications for improving the design of man-made machines such as underwater drones and submersibles.
Using cutting-edge engineering and animal behaviour, scientists have explained the origins of efficient swimming in the animals.
Seals and sea lions are fast-swimming ocean predators that use their flippers to “fly” through the water.
But not all seals are the same – some use their front flippers to swim, while others propel themselves with their back feet.
Fur seals and sea lions have wing-like front flippers specialised for swimming, while grey and harbour seals have stubby, clawed paws and swim with their feet.