Noel Alexis C, Lieb Jason, Seleb Benjamin, Thatcher Mary, Kim Soohwan, Asberry Aqua T, Nadler Jason H, Hu David L
Aerospace, Transportation and Advanced Systems Laboratory, Aerospace & Acoustics Technologies Division, Georgia Tech Research Institute, Smyrna, Georgia, USA.
Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2024 Dec;1542(1):638-646. doi: 10.1111/nyas.15263. Epub 2024 Dec 12.
The semi-aquatic North American river otter (Lontra canadensis) has the unique challenge of navigating slippery algae-coated rocks. Unlike other river otter species, each rear paw of the North American river otter has a series of soft, circular, and keratinized plantar pads similar to the felt pads on the boots of fly fishermen. Surrounding these soft pads is a textured epidermal layer. In this combined experimental and numerical study, we investigate the influence of the plantar pads and surrounding skin on the otter's grip. We filmed an otter walking and performed materials testing and histology on preserved otter paws. We present experiments and numerical modeling of how the otter paw may help evacuate water when contacting the river bed. We hope this study will draw interest into natural amphibious grip mechanisms for use in sports and the military.
半水生的北美水獭（加拿大水獭属）面临着在覆盖着藻类的滑溜溜的岩石上行走的独特挑战。与其他水獭物种不同，北美水獭的每只后爪都有一系列柔软、圆形且角质化的足底垫，类似于飞蝇钓手靴子上的毛毡垫。这些柔软的垫子周围是有纹理的表皮层。在这项结合了实验和数值模拟的研究中，我们研究了足底垫和周围皮肤对水獭抓地力的影响。我们拍摄了一只水獭行走的过程，并对保存的水獭爪子进行了材料测试和组织学分析。我们展示了水獭爪子在接触河床时如何帮助排水的实验和数值模型。我们希望这项研究能引起人们对用于体育和军事领域的天然两栖抓地机制的关注。
