In the world, there is a sheep that live on cliffs, called Oreamnos americanus, in order to survive, they have developed the ability to fly and walk on walls.
Why do snow sheep live in this environment where they always risk their lives?
Why do snow sheep live on cliffs
Snow sheep feed mainly on grasses, ferns, moss and lichens that grow in high mountains, and from birth they have lived on near-vertical slopes and steep cliffs.
But miraculously, they can easily climb hillsides and cliffs with a little bit of foothold.
After a long period of research, scientists have found that they need sodium to maintain the normal functioning of the body just like humans, and the reason why they take such a big risk to go to the cliff is mainly because of the mineral salts in the ore sandwiched between the cliffs.
Often, they climb to cliffs to lick mineral salts from ore.
Another reason is to avoid natural enemies.
After all, in places where only the snow sheep themselves can stand, the predator is starving to death, and he will not gamble with his life for a full meal.
Of course, snow sheep also have times when they lose their footing, so in some emergencies, snow sheep can only choose between being eaten or standing on a cliff in order to survive.
If you don't stand well, it's the same result as being eaten, but if you are lucky enough to stand on your feet, you can survive, so this is also the helpless move of the snow sheep under the law of "survival of the fittest".
So the question is, the cliff is so steep, how did the snow sheep stand, is there any secret weapon?
How the snow sheep stand between the cliffs
The snow sheep can stand between the cliffs, thanks to the special body structure of the snow sheep:
1. The snow sheep have a hard shell on their hooves.
This shell helps them embed into the stone crevices in the cliff wall, and basically to the point of perfect fit, which is the basis for snow sheep to be able to climb the cliff.
2. The bottom of the snow sheep's hooves is softer, a bit like a suction cup that can grasp anything.
When the shell is embedded in the stone crevice, the bottom of its "suction cup" changes shape, firmly grasping the rock under the foot and fitting perfectly with the shape of the rock.
3. The toes of the snow sheep, like other sheep, are V-shaped and spaced wider.
When standing unsteady, its toes can be separated to produce grip, dispersing the situation of the body sagging due to gravity, just like when a person is unstable, it is better to grasp something with his hands.
4. There is also a small hoof behind the main hoof of the snow sheep, called the hanging hoof, whose main function is to generate backward force in time.
Therefore, when the center of gravity of the snow sheep is unstable on the cliff, the hanging hoof can help the snow sheep "brake" in time to stabilize the center of gravity.
5. The shape of snow sheep is also an important reason to help them "stand" on the cliff wall.
Because the snow sheep are muscular and long, they can have enough strength on the cliff wall to master their balance, rather than a gust of wind disrupting its center of gravity.
There is a kind of sheep similar to the snow sheep in Morocco, they are also very brave, but they do not fight the cliff wall, but climb trees instead.
And the reason they climb trees is simple, because the sheep live near the Sahara Desert in Morocco, where drought and water are scarce and vegetation is scarce.
But every year the argan trees produce fruit that they can eat, and they learn to climb trees to fill their stomachs.
The "sheep on the tree" is not only a local wonder, but also a must-see for many people who travel to Morocco, this landscape is free of charge and unstable, so whether you can see it or not depends on luck.
If you travel to Morocco one day, you might as well check it out, after all, such rare things are not common.
#Science##Snow Sheep##羊上树 #
