Crocodiles dive just like a submarine
Apologies to all of you who already know this, but I just read an interesting column in today's paper (Metro, London).
Crocodiles and alligators behave like modern submarines to dive, surface or roll sideways without flippers or fins, experts have revealed. The reptiles move silently through the water by turning their lungs into floatation tanks. Using their diaphragm, pelvic, abdominal and rib muscles, they move air towards the tail for diving and towards the end for surfacing. Modern submarines use a similar system by pumping air into different compartments to help the vessel dive underwater or to surface. Experts made the discovery by planting electrodes on to the muscles of five young alligators. Dr Colleen Farmer, from the University of Utah, said: "The secret to their aquatic agility lies in the use of several muscles to shift the position of their lungs."
|