Paws and claws:

Functional adaption of the lower limb

"A moving animal attracts almost universal attention ........ far more people pass through the turnstiles of a zoological garden than through the doors of a natural history museum"
Professor James Gray
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Aim

Objectives

In a zoological garden you will see a range of animals with hind limbs of differing shape and size. The aim of this tutorial is to demonstrate the adaption of the lower limb in response to enviroment and use In the course of this tutorial you should:
  • visit each of the animal groups pictured below
  • for each animal observe the adaptions of the hindlimb
  • decide on the principal function for which the hindlimb is well suited in each animal
  • make the same observations of the human lower limb
  • form some conclusions about limb form and its adaption to enviroment
Reptiles Rhinos Sheep
Tigers Bears Birds
Monkeys Humans Other animals

Click here to review your conclusions


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Comments to: email fab at: fab-ras@gla.ac.uk