Why are some living things such as ants, squirrels, and spiders not subject to the laws of gravity?

Question

It's amazing to me how some ants and spiders can climb up walls and not fall down in contrast to humans who, if they try to climb up a wall or tree, gravity is pulling them down. Yet, for some living things, it feels like gravity is not even applying to them. Is there a scientific reason for this?

Answer 1

Illusion -- they are subject to the laws of gravity.

but they are very strong animals or insects.

Remark:  Have you seen a spider using its thread to go down? Very controlled.

Answer 2

Everyone is missing the point. I understand your question.

It has to do with strength vs. weight scaling. Strength scales linearly with cross sectional area (length squared) while weight scales with volume (length cubed). For example, all else being similar, if you're 1/10 times as long you are 1/100 times as strong, but you weigh 1/1000 times as much. That means your strength to weight ratio is 10 times more, so gravity is less of an issue.

Answer 3

By your logic if I climb a tree I an not subject to the laws of gravity. Of course I still am. A lot of insects have legs that can grip on to walls and ceilings.

Answer 4

the laws of gravity applies to everything, hence the term the "laws" of gravity; if it wasn't a law, it would be a theory. the simple explanation is that ants and spiders have hooks on the ends of their feet, giving them ability to grasp onto the minute and microscopic blemishes and cracks in the surface of a wall or tree or whatever they happen to be climbing. squirrels have extremely sharp claws that dig into the surface of what they are climbing. if you've ever seen squirrels chase each other around a pine tree you'll notice that bark comes flying off which is because they have dug their claws so deep into the bark that when they push off, the force literally throws the bark off the tree. they can climb like they do because they have an extremely built muscular frame. they nay look weak, but if you look at one on a tree, you can see their muscles rippling under their skin.

Answer 5

Because most of them are animals that were based on super heroes

Answer 6

They have the ability to grip those surfaces.

Answer 7

Researchers who have puzzled over the gecko's gravity-defying footwork:

Gecko's toes don't just stick, they bond to the surface beneath them. Engineers are already trying to copy the gecko's technique-but reptilian feet aren't the only ones they're interested in.

Some of the most persistent hangers-on are insects. They can defy not just gravity, but gusts of wind, raindrops and a predator's attempts to prise them loose. Recent discoveries about how they achieve this could lead to the development of quick-release adhesives and miniature grippers ideal for manipulating microscopic components.  "There are lots of ways to make two surfaces stick together, but there are very few which provide precise and reversible attachment,"

On rough surfaces insects can latch onto small projections with claws. But there's no such anchorage on smooth surfaces. Insects that have to tackle slippery slopes have specialised pads at the end of the tarsus, the last of the leg segments. Some have hairy pads, some have pads that are completely smooth, friction certainly plays a part in limiting the horizontal movement of the pads. Scientists have been trying to uncover the secrets of insect sticking power for centuries.

SPIDERS:

Legs:  

Each of the spider's 8 legs has a tiny claw at the

end for grabbing and pulling things.  These claws

also help the spider walk upside down without falling.

ANTS:

Ants tend to rely more heavily on their claws.  Ants that live on the ground where the soil is rough might not be able to climb well on smooth surfaces or upside down, the way tree-dwelling ants do.

Claws:

Many animals have claws that grip to the trees.

Squirrels build their nests high up on the treetops, or in the tree's canopy. They have small claws on their feet that help them hold on to tree trunks and branches, even upside-down!

Sloths also have claws. Their claws let them hang on tight to the trees for a long time. This is important because they move very slowly and spend most of their lives hanging upside-down from branches.

Iguanas spend much of their lives in the canopy, searching for food. They also have sharp claws that help them climb.

Tails:

Other animals have tails that can grab onto branches.

Monkeys have tails that they use as an extra hand when swinging and climbing through trees.

Tamanduas are ant-eaters that use their long tails and claws to move about the tree and look for ants to eat.

Toes:

Some animals have special toes that stick to the tree.

Tree frogs spend most of their lives in trees and have tips on their toes that grip the surface of trees. These toes glue themselves to the tree. Their toes let them move around the tree without falling.

Tarsiers have friction pads on their toes that help them grab onto branches and tree trunks.

Flying:

Some animals glide through the trees.

Flying squirrels have flaps of skin that let them glide from branch to branch and from tree to tree.

Flying dragons are lizards that also have flaps of skin on both sides of their bodies to help them glide.

Wings:

Many animals have wings to fly.

Most birds live in trees and use their wings to help them get to the branches and their nests.

Most insects and bugs have wings so they can fly to leaves and branches.

hope this helps.              good luck and enjoy.

Answer 8

All things on this earth are subject to gravity.  Many species of animals and insects have adapted so they can climb walls etc and appear to be weightless. They have spikey hairs on their feet, suction pads, sharp claws etc. Glider Squirrels have membranes they can stretch out and

appear to fly between trees.