Walking on water may seem impossible, but some animals can even do it. Animals that can walk on water There are over 1,200 species of them, mostly tiny creatures such as insects and spiders. Surprisingly, large, heavy animals can also walk on water!
1. Huntsman spiders(Dolomedes)
Large representatives of these spiders hunt for fish, tadpoles and aquatic invertebrates, while smaller ones mainly feed on insects. and even swim on its surface, raising your front legs, or standing on your “toes” to catch the wind, which will help you move in the right direction.
When hunting, huntsman spiders' hind legs are usually on floating wood or vegetation, while their front legs rest lightly on the surface of the water. In this way, they detect surface waves, which allow hunting spiders to find potential prey. If the spider detects a fish underwater, it uses its hind legs to push off and dive after it. Huntsman spiders also dive underwater when disturbed, this good way avoid predators such as birds. Some species of hunting spiders are able to stay underwater for up to half an hour! They can breathe underwater because the spider's lungs are located on the abdomen, which is covered with small hairs that capture air, forming a kind of diving bell.
2. (Basiliscus basiliscus)
Among the large animals that can walk on water is the helmeted lizard, or the common basilisk. The green lizard has several other names, but its ability to run on water gives this species its most popular name: Jesus Christ lizard.
Abundant in the evergreen forests of Central America, green basilisks spend a lot of time in trees, but are never far from a body of water. When a lizard suspects a threat, it can jump from a tree into the water and run along the surface of the water for about 4.5 meters at a speed of about 1.5 meters per second. When the helmeted basilisk can no longer run on water, it resorts to excellent swimming skills.
(Coleodactylus amazonicus)
Measuring only 2 to 4 cm in size, the Brazilian dwarf gecko is amazingly unsinkable! Although vulnerable to raindrops, this gecko has developed hydrophobic skin, allowing it to walk and even sit on water. The Brazilian dwarf gecko eats tiny invertebrates such as fleas and ticks. And he himself can become prey even for insects such as centipedes and spiders. These geckos live in the Amazon tropical forests South America.
(Gerridae)
photo: Imbi Vahuri
Water striders have a unique ability to walk on water. Scientists have identified more than 700 species of water striders, of which 10% are marine and 90% are freshwater inhabitants, which can be easily found in any pond, river or other freshwater body. The legs of water striders are located in such a way that the insect evenly distributes the weight of its body and does not sink on the surface of the water, but glides easily along it.
5. Dolphins(Odontoceti)
photo: http://www.sergio-travel.ru
Animals that can walk on water, what do dolphins do on this list? It's hard to say that they can walk on water, but dolphins are known for their ability to dance above the waves using their tail fins. Most dolphins are fast swimmers and they are also known for their acrobatic abilities.
(Aechmophorus occidentalis) and Clark's grebe(Aechmophorus clarkii)
Commonly found in Canada and occasionally in Mexico. Clark's grebe lives in the northern part of America. Both species of these waterfowl have a unique and wonderful mating ritual. While running through water, birds make 22 paw strikes per second. These grebes feed on a variety of fish, shellfish, crabs and salamanders. During nesting, the birds create monogamous pairs on inland lakes in the western part, and in winter they migrate to the Pacific coast.
(Hydrobatidae)
Unlike other animals on this list, this bird does not walk on water, although that is what it looks like. the smallest seabirds that feed on planktonic crustaceans and small fish. They snatch their prey from the water, hovering very low above its surface. This is why the bird appears to be walking on water, but in fact it is simply very close to the surface.
They are divided into two subfamilies. Subfamily Oceanitinae in which there are 7 species, mainly found in southern waters. They have short wings, square tails, and elongated skulls.
IN subfamily Hydrobatinae 14 species that have longer wings and forked or wedge-shaped tails. These storm petrels are primarily restricted to the northern hemisphere, although some may visit or breed in a short distance from the equator.
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We saw everything on the surface of the water unusual insects, which glide across the surface of the water with ease. Of course, these are water striders.
They look like small boats, because the body of the insect is elongated, and the color is from brown to black.
Three pairs of legs help their owner run across the surface of the water so easily that we wonder: how do they do it?
It turns out that the water strider’s legs are covered with pads of thick hairs that are covered with fat. However, the body of the insectcovered with water-repellent hairs, so it always comes out of the water dry.
Water striders jump well if there is an obstacle in the way. The front legs (they are shorter than the other legs) serve them for grasping food, as a propellant when moving, and also for fighting.
Yes, yes, don't be surprised, these kids know how to stand up for their food. Without dividing the tasty morsel, several bullies cling together with their forelimbs as they accelerate, then, unable to resist, they fall and roll on the surface of the water.
The most dexterous and cunning water strider takes its prey to a secluded place, while others fuss among themselves.
With the help of her front legs, she controls her speed of movement, and the other four legs are the support and steering wheel of the insect. They are all predators, feed on invertebrates.
Seeing food, they give signals (water fluctuations), and these hasty insects run from all sides for lunch. The mouth is in the form of a trunk, with the help of which it sucks out the “juices” from the victim. Vision is good, and fairly long antennae play the role of touch and smell.
They reproduce all summer, laying eggs (up to 50 eggs) on the leaves of aquatic plants, forming one row of a long jelly-like cord.
Sea water striders come to land, looking for a secluded place in moss or old stumps for wintering. They lumber along the ground, losing their grace. Walking on land is different from gliding on water.
Some species of water striders have wings and elytra. Such insects fly to other bodies of water for the purpose of resettlement, or if their previous place of residence has dried up.
The water strider is big. It is truly the largest, its length reaches up to 17 mm.It has a reddish body color and wings. Feeds on insects.
Freshwater water striders feed on fallen insects in the water. The insect size is about 8 - 10 mm. They have wings, which means they can fly.
Pond water strider up to 10 mm long. The color is dark brown, the legs are light, and the front legs still have black stripes on the hips. Females have a red abdomen, males have a black abdomen. There are wings. They eat insects.
The sea water strider (its length is about 5 mm) is smaller in size than the freshwater one, the only representative of insects in the sea. But the sea water strider runs faster - 3.5 km/h. Can attack jellyfish and physalia. He doesn’t hesitate to taste fish caviar.
They live in Indian and Pacific Oceans. Eggs are laid on floating objects. They live in open water many kilometers from land. They don't have wings.Water striders are common everywhere where there is water.
- Class – Insects
- Order - Hemiptera
- Family - Water striders
I want to continue it a little, i.e. tell not only about the water strider, how it runs on water, but also about which of the inhabitants of wildlife can also walk on water and why. Denis Zelenov, 10 years old, helped me carry out the experiments. Physics in nature- an interesting perspective.
What helps a porcupine float on the surface of the water?
It is safe to say about the porcupine that even if it wants to, it cannot drown, since the cavities inside its numerous quills are filled with air. This helps the animal float on the surface of the water.
As can be seen from the experiment: a green rubber ball does not sink when inflated, but a pink ball filled with air floats. So does the porcupine. This, of course, cannot be called walking on water, but rather swimming.
What helps birds stay afloat?
We have seen swans and ducks swimming on the lakes many times. They stay afloat easily.
This is because their feathers are hollow and they fit very tightly together, creating a layer of air. Bird feathers also have a lubricant that protects them from getting wet. Their body produces fat. With the help of its beak, the bird constantly lubricates its plumage with fat, which repels water. Water cannot wet the feathers, which helps the bird retain heat and float on the water.
This can be easily verified by the following experiment: take two balls of thread and dip one of them in vegetable oil. Then we put them in glasses of water and see that the oiled ball of thread floats, and the second one drowns.
Waterfowl also “run” across the water when taking off. This is how they manage to develop greater speed. Quickly moving their paws and simultaneously working their wings, they accelerate until they gain enough speed to take off. Then they push off with all their might from the surface of the water and take off. It's like an airplane taking off.
What keeps the water strider beetle afloat?
The water strider feels very free on the surface of the water, remaining afloat. Her paws are covered with thousands of tiny hairs that do not get wet.
If you look closely, you can see that where her thin long legs come into contact with the surface of the water, small dents appear in the water. The surface of the water behaves as if it were covered with a thin rubber film, which stretches under the weight of the beetle, but does not break. The water responds with pressure from the inside out, trying to restore its even surface. This phenomenon is called surface tension of water. It can be observed on a spoon filled with water to the brim - the water on the spoon is like a “slide”, which is clearly seen from experience. A drop of water in a state of flight, in zero gravity, retains its spherical shape only due to the force of surface tension. It is also called the “skin” of water.
We can observe the presence of force on the surface of water in the following experiment: let’s place a metal sewing needle or paper clip on the water. They, like the water strider, will be held on its surface.
These experiments show that the force of surface tension of water helps the water strider stay on the water. The weight of the insect is balanced by surface tension, the strength of which exceeds the body weight of the water strider. Thanks to this, the water strider stays afloat and can jump up into the air like a person jumping on a trampoline. Thus, water striders have two types of gait: jumping up into the air and sliding along the water. Many of us have watched how deftly water strider bugs glide through the water! Their speed of movement is up to 100 km/h. How do they do it? Scientists have proven that water striders use their limbs like oars. Only they don’t put their “oars” in the water. The paws form holes on the surface of the water. These pits work like the blade of an oar. Each stroke creates a mini-whirlpool behind the paws, turbulence in the water. Thanks to this, the water strider moves forward, as if pushing off from the back “wall of the recess,” as shown in the figure.
Simplified model of a water strider's foot
How does a basilisk lizard run on water?
The helmeted basilisk lives in Central America. It weighs about 100 grams. The basilisk is a rare creature that runs on water at a speed of up to 12 km/hour, i.e. twice as fast as a human. Frequent strikes with its paws help the lizard stay on the water and run across it. In this case, holes with walls appear in the water. These walls, with rapidly repeated impacts, behave as if they were solid in the short period of time between two adjacent impacts. When the lizard pushes the water down and back with its foot, the water responds with the same force, pushing it up and forward. Pushing off, the lizard runs through the water as if it were dry land.
How does a fishing spider walk on water?
The most skillful swimmer is the Pisaurid, a fishing spider. Can glide on water, just like a water strider does. Can stand up on its hind legs in the water and run like a basilisk lizard! But the most quick way The spider's movements are sailing. When the wind blows, the spider waves its front legs, or raises its entire body and allows the wind to drag it through the water, like a sailboat. Even a slight push of the wind can carry it across the entire pond.
As it turns out, very few creatures are able to walk on water.
It turned out to be an interesting day. Today you learned how physics works in nature. I hope you found it interesting. And if you liked The Fun Science, then please accept a gift from me. Collection exciting experiments, experiments and tricks with water.
Before revealing the secret of water striders, it is necessary to remember some basics of the physical properties of water. As is known, air and aquatic environment separated by a special surface tension film. At the boundary of two phases, the attractive forces arising between water molecules are not balanced, i.e. the sum of forces acting downwards turns out to be many times greater than the sum of forces acting upwards. Due to this, the density of the water in the reservoir is slightly higher than in the main water layer.
But that is not all! Molecules tending downward lead to the appearance of a kind of elastic membrane that is capable of supporting objects with a density higher than this on the surface of the water. However, there is one condition: these objects must be dry. If you wet them, they will independently attract water molecules to themselves, which will disrupt the structure of the surface film.
It is curious that these amazing physical properties of the water film are used for their own purposes by various. It is worth moving from physics to zoology. As is known, on the border of two habitats it has a very noticeable advantage. The most famous inhabitants of the surfaces of reservoirs are, of course, water striders.
Who are water striders?
These are small insects from the order Hemiptera. Simply put, these are bedbugs. Like their relatives, water striders are equipped with a piercing-sucking mouthparts (proboscis), which allows them to introduce special substances into the body of their prey that paralyze and decompose its tissues. This is necessary in order to suck the finished “broth” out of the victim.
Water striders are predatory creatures. Their main food is insects that accidentally fall on the surface of the water. If the future meal is large enough in size, then several water striders can feast on it at once. However, these creatures prefer to hunt and feed alone.
How does a water strider stay on the water?
This simple ability of water striders is explained by the above physical properties water. This is due to the so-called surface tension force. If we briefly retell the essence of this “trick,” we get the following: in the boundary layer between the air and the water column there are water molecules, which are acted upon from below (from the depths) by a force several times greater than from above. Because of this, a thin membrane is formed on the surface of the water. It is she who holds the water strider, which happily conducts its life activities.
Do you know about animals that can walk on water? Maybe you can remember one or two, but there are many more.
Lizard Basilisk
The Basilisk lizard, also known as the Jesus Christ lizard, escapes from predators by throwing itself from the top of the tree where it lives and running along the surface of the river underneath the tree. They can reach impressive speeds of over 1.5 meters per second.
Lizards have long toes with strips of skin between them, and they kick the water quickly to create an air pocket as they run, which helps them stay afloat as long as they maintain their speed. When they fall into water, they can swim, but prefer to run as they are also at risk of being eaten by water-dwelling animals.
Brazilian dwarf geckos
This tiny lizard is not only very cute, but also very talented. Due to its light weight and hydrophobic skin, the gecko can easily walk on the surface of the water. Because geckos are so small (smaller than many of the insects that live in the Amazon rainforest), they are at risk of drowning in even the smallest puddle—scientists believe this is how their ability to walk on water evolved.
Water striders
Water bugs - also known as Jesus bugs, water striders and water skippers - are members of the water strider family of insects and are distinguished by their ability to walk on water. They do this by using hydrophobic legs, which help increase the surface tension of the water, and they distribute weight evenly across all legs. Their movements are also aided by their middle legs moving in a circle like the oars of a boat, propelling them forward.
Fishing spiders
Fishing spiders (also known as pisaurid spiders) are semi-aquatic creatures and live near bodies of water and streams where they hunt. They wait near the water until they feel ripples on its surface, and then rush across it after prey. Water also helps them avoid predators, as they can lurk beneath its surface, hiding their bodies in small air bubbles. While most fishing spiders feed on insects, some large species They can even catch and eat small fish, tadpoles and frogs.
Fishing spiders, like geckos, can travel through water because they are lightweight and covered in short, hydrophobic hairs. They sometimes swim on water, holding several legs in the air while the wind pushes them along the water surface. Their short hairs also allow air bubbles to collect around their bodies as they lurk below the surface of the water. In fact, they are so buoyant that they must hold on to something while underwater, otherwise they will rise straight to the surface and emerge completely dry. Some of the spiders can stay underwater for up to half an hour.
Dolphin
Without legs, it's hard to say that dolphins can actually "walk" on water, but they are known for their ability to dance above the waves using their tail fins. Unlike other animals, which use their ability to walk on water for one evolutionary advantage or another, researchers believe that dolphins do it purely for pleasure - the equivalent of a dancing person.
It is interesting that, although they have the ability to “walk” on water, they almost never do this in wildlife, unless they were trained by a dolphin that was once caught and trained by man.
West American grebe and Clark's grebe
Both species - the Western American grebe and Clark's grebe - practice a unique and beautiful paired technique - the two of them rush through the water. Birds stretch forward, rise to their feet and beat their wings nonstop. The pair then run synchronized across the water for distances of up to 9 meters, taking as many as twenty-two steps per second.
These birds spend almost their entire lives in the water and have short wings and strong legs, which are poor for walking on land but excellent for their courtship dance in the water.
Little Petrel
Unlike most of the other animals on this list, this bird does not walk on the surface of the water, although it does something similar. In reality, it floats close to the water, eats and runs along its surface. In Europe, the bird got its name (Storm Petrel) from St. Peter, who is believed to have walked on water. Its legs are too weak to support the bird's weight for more than a few steps on land, meaning it can walk further on water than on land.
Heron on hippopotamus
Of course, herons can't walk on water, but some birds look like they can—until the hippopotamus they're standing on jumps out of the water, revealing what's really going on. Of course, the heron cannot walk on water, but such an illusion is worthy of applause.
