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Geckos are our animal of the week, thanks to their unique molecular stickers on the soles of their feet. Unlike many motorists in the south, who were surprised by the sudden arrival of winter, geckos don’t need separate winter and summer paws because they always have great grip. With over a thousand species capable of impressive climbing feats, geckos are true masters of adhesion.
The secret to their success lies in the special structure of their legs. The gecko’s toes act like molecular stickers, allowing them to stick directly to small molecules on a surface using the van der Waals force, which is based on electrical attraction between molecules. Their tiny hairs further divide into millions of tiny spatula-like forks measuring in nanometers, giving them an incredible level of grip.
But that’s not all – geckos can also break free from this adhesion at will, similar to tearing Velcro. And if that wasn’t enough, their legs also have a water-repellent surface, allowing them to climb even wet surfaces with ease. It’s no wonder that geckos are considered one of nature’s most incredible climbers.
While Teflon may seem like an impenetrable surface for these little critters, they manage to slide off it with ease due to its slippery molecules not providing the electrical adhesion surface that geckos need. Overall, the unique adaptations of these tiny lizards make them unstoppable climbers with the ability to stick to almost any surface imaginable.
