Salamander living in redwoods is able to maneuver in freefall, suggesting adaptation to living at heights Salamanders that live their entire lives in the crowns of the world's tallest trees, California's coast redwoods, have evolved a behavior well-adapted to the dangers of falling from high places: the ability to parachute, glide and manoeuvre in mid-air. Flying squirrels, not to mention numerous species of gliding frogs, geckos, and ants and other insects, are known to use similar aerial manoeuvres when jumping from tree to tree or when falling, so as to remain in the trees and avoid landing on the ground. The wandering salamander (Aneides vagrans). Image credit: Christian Brown Similarly, the researchers suspect that this salamander's skydiving skills are a way to steer bac...
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