| Humans are at the top of the evolutionary | | | | |
| chain. At least that's what most of us like | | | | Pit Vipers can differentiate between the heat |
| to believe. To believe anything else would | | | | given off by possible prey and the heat |
| jeopardise our claim as planetary rulers and | | | | emanating from its surrounding rocky |
| do tremendous damage to many fragile egos. We | | | | environment. This ability comes from granules |
| may have learnt to walk on two legs, use our | | | | in their nostrils that are sensitive to |
| opposable thumbs, and develop writing | | | | changes in heat within a perimeter that |
| systems, but that doesn't make us the | | | | extends beyond its striking distance. |
| pinnacle of existence. The truth is that no | | | | Scientists mimicked this ability and used it |
| matter how advanced we think we are, we look | | | | in the creation of thermal imaging |
| to animals for inspiration when thinking up | | | | technology. Thermal imaging is used in |
| many new technologies. | | | | detecting volcanic activity, to track the |
| | | | effects and pace of global warming, and by |
| Dolphins, like humans, need to be conscious | | | | police and the military in locating body |
| or maintain a certain level of awareness to | | | | heat. |
| breathe. Both species also need to rest their | | | | |
| brains by entering into an unconscious state. | | | | An application with more functionality for |
| Humans simply go to sleep, but if dolphins | | | | general public use is the study of tree frogs |
| switched off completely as we do, they would | | | | to improve the stickiness and re usability of |
| drown. In the interests of self-preservation, | | | | stick tape. The Indian Institute of |
| they have evolved the ability to shut down | | | | Technology studied tree frogs, and their toe |
| one half of their brain at a time. This | | | | pads in particular, to determine how they |
| ensures that they maintain enough awareness | | | | managed to adhere to various surfaces. They |
| to tend to their physical needs, while | | | | discovered that the footpads had tiny |
| getting much needed rest. | | | | channels on them, which enhanced frogs' |
| | | | sticking ability. This breakthrough led to |
| Being able to function on half a brain while | | | | the design of an adhesive layer of elastic |
| letting the other half rest would be an | | | | tiers with channels for air or water. The |
| invaluable ability in many professions. | | | | upshot was reusable tape with 30 times the |
| Military personnel could stay awake and alert | | | | stickiness of current adhesive tape. |
| in dangerous situations, and doctors would be | | | | |
| able handle their demanding shift schedules. | | | | The influence of animals can be seen |
| This raises the question of capability. | | | | everywhere: the construction of birds' wings |
| Dolphins use the ability to maintain basic | | | | helped refine wings on aeroplanes. The |
| functioning. Doctors and members of the | | | | ability of hummingbirds to hover was |
| military need higher levels of functioning, | | | | instrumental in the design of helicopters. |
| as they are responsible for other lives. | | | | And the construction of buildings is now |
| Would you trust a neurosurgeon with half of | | | | being adapted along the lines of termite |
| his or her brain asleep? Nevertheless, | | | | mounds to conserve energy. We may consider |
| efforts are being made to manufacture | | | | ourselves the epitome of evolution, but our |
| stimulants that would allow people to mimic | | | | continued borrowing from lower life forms |
| dolphins and maintain awareness for over | | | | lends itself to the conclusion that our pride |
| sixty hours. | | | | in our abilities is severely misguided. |