They've inherited a third leg joint, the tarsus, from their dinosaur ancestors. (Green)
It works with their system of tendons to make a clenched foot the relaxed state. This lets them hold onto prey or a branch while they sleep at maximum force without having to constantly export force, it just happens.
The toes also have an internal ratcheting lock to aid that grip. See how the red and blue ridged sections lock when the foot is clenched.
20 Comments
rustydrd@sh.itjust.works · 23 pts · 178d
Okay so I have a follow up question
jagged@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 178d
Could be the second one with plumage down (like an untucked shirt)
anon6789@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 178d
lol I vote the tall version.
festnt@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 175d
it would not be able to walk very well with the first one
aeration1217@lemmy.org · 19 pts · 178d
why would they lie tho
CubitOom@infosec.pub · 15 pts · 178d
Who?
gon@lemmy.dbzer0.com · 7 pts · 178d
............Sus
thethrilloftime69@feddit.online · 17 pts · 178d
So they're mostly legs under there?
anon6789@lemmy.world · 37 pts · 178d
They've inherited a third leg joint, the tarsus, from their dinosaur ancestors. (Green)
It works with their system of tendons to make a clenched foot the relaxed state. This lets them hold onto prey or a branch while they sleep at maximum force without having to constantly export force, it just happens.
The toes also have an internal ratcheting lock to aid that grip. See how the red and blue ridged sections lock when the foot is clenched.
thethrilloftime69@feddit.online · 10 pts · 178d
That is amazing. Thanks for sharing!
anon6789@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 178d
It's just the tip of the iceberg! Since they need to stay light enough to fly, every bit of them is packed with max awesomeness.
I could go on about them all day.
bumblefumble@mander.xyz · 3 pts · 177d
Would you say they are... superb?
anon6789@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 177d
I may be coming around to that opinion, yes...
Minnels@lemmy.zip · 7 pts · 178d
Nature is amazing.
anon6789@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 178d
That's why we're Superb Owl and not Ordinary Owl 😁
Schmuppes@lemmy.today · 10 pts · 178d
🎸🕶️ She's got legs / And knows how to use 'em 🕶️🎸
EtherWhack@lemmy.world · 10 pts · 178d
The slav squat
anon6789@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 178d
That owl is from that part of the world....you may be onto something. But did the Slavs learn it from the owls or the owls from the Slavs?
itsmistermoon@piefed.social · 2 pts · 178d
TIL slavs have a third leg joint /s
h_ramus@piefed.social · 5 pts · 178d
It's a flying chicken that rotates the neck wearing some 1800s feathery dress. It's all leg down there