Why are some living things such as ants, squirrels, and spiders not subject to the laws of gravity?
Researchers who have puzzled over the gecko’s gravity-defying footwork: Gecko’s toes don’t just stick, they bond to the surface beneath them. Engineers are already trying to copy the gecko’s technique-but reptilian feet aren’t the only ones they’re interested in. Some of the most persistent hangers-on are insects. They can defy not just gravity, but gusts of wind, raindrops and a predator’s attempts to prise them loose. Recent discoveries about how they achieve this could lead to the development of quick-release adhesives and miniature grippers ideal for manipulating microscopic components. “There are lots of ways to make two surfaces stick together, but there are very few which provide precise and reversible attachment,” On rough surfaces insects can latch onto small projections with claws. But there’s no such anchorage on smooth surfaces. Insects that have to tackle slippery slopes have specialised pads at the end of the tarsus, the last of the leg segments. Some have hairy pads, som
