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Forbes
6 days ago
- Science
- Forbes
Meet The Bird That Soars Higher Than Any Other. Hint: It Flies Higher Than Commercial Airplanes
Most birds don't fly that high in the air. In fact, some birds – such as the emu or the cassowary – don't fly at all. They have wings, but only in the 'vestigial' sense, meaning that their wings are non-functional remnants of their flying ancestors. Evolution went even further in New Zealand's moas, which were completely wingless. Yet there are some flight-capable bird species with a knack for soaring really high in the air. While this may sound like a matter of choice, it's actually quite complicated. Flying at high altitudes requires birds to be more efficient in their movement and energy production. For instance, research published in the Journal of Experimental Biology suggests that high-altitude birds have developed unique specializations such as more effective breathing patterns, larger lungs and blood with a higher oxygen affinity. These adaptations, according to the research, allows birds to 'improve the uptake, circulation and efficient utilization of oxygen during high-altitude hypoxia.' High-flying birds also tend to have larger wings than their low-flying cousins, presumably to allow the birds to soar without expending as much energy. Research has identified a handful of bird species that are known to soar at altitudes of 20,000+ feet – the most notable and highest soarer being the Ruppell's griffon. Here is more detail on the record-setting, 'Chuck Yeager's' of the bird world. This African vulture holds the record for the highest known bird flight. In fact, a Ruppell's griffon collided with a commercial aircraft over western Africa at an altitude of 37,000 feet, higher than the cruising height of most airliners. The species is uniquely adapted to extreme altitudes, with hemoglobin that binds oxygen more effectively than that of almost any other bird. These vultures rely on powerful soaring techniques and can cover vast distances in search of carrion, making use of rising thermal currents to stay aloft with minimal energy expenditure. This bird is known for its grueling migrations over the Himalayas, including Mount Everest. Bar-headed geese have been recorded flying at elevations above 27,000 feet during their seasonal journeys between Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent. To cope with the thin air, they possess a high lung capacity and their muscles are particularly efficient at using oxygen. These physiological traits allow them to flap continuously, rather than just soar, even in oxygen-starved environments. The alpine chough, a member of the crow family, lives in mountainous regions across Europe, North Africa and Asia. Though not migratory in the same way as the bar-headed goose, this species regularly forages and nests at high altitudes. Observations have documented Alpine choughs flying at over 25,000 feet. Their strong, curved wings and acrobatic flight style allow them to navigate rugged terrain with ease, making the most of updrafts and wind currents that sweep over alpine cliffs. Known for their distinctive trumpet-like calls, whooper swans are powerful, long-distance migrants. These swans have been spotted by pilots at heights of up to 25,000 feet during their transcontinental migrations between Europe and Asia. Despite their large size, their strong wings and streamlined bodies help them maintain high-altitude flight over long distances. They often travel in V-shaped formations that improve aerodynamic efficiency and conserve energy among the flock. The steppe eagle is a bird of prey that breeds in the open plains and steppes of Central Asia. These eagles are skilled soarers, often riding thermal updrafts to reach extreme heights. Their broad wings and keen eyesight make them efficient hunters and scavengers, capable of spotting prey from great distances. Their long-distance migratory routes take them across mountainous regions where such high-altitude flights are essential. Also known as the bearded vulture, the lammergeier is a striking bird that thrives in mountainous regions from Europe to the Himalayas. It has been recorded flying at heights of up to 24,000 feet, gliding on thermals. Unique among vultures, lammergeiers primarily feed on bone marrow, often dropping large bones from great heights onto rocks to crack them open. Their adaptations for high-altitude flight include long, narrow wings and a lightweight frame, enabling them to maneuver with precision in thin air. Despite their delicate appearance, demoiselle cranes are among the toughest migratory birds in the world. Each year, they make a perilous journey over the Himalayas to reach their wintering grounds in India. Flying at altitudes up to 24,000 feet, they endure fierce winds, cold temperatures and low oxygen levels. These cranes are known for their resilience and strong familial bonds, often migrating in flocks that include young birds guided by their experienced elders. Are you an animal lover who owns a pet, perhaps even a pet bird? Take the science-backed Pet Personality Test to know how well you know your little friend.
Forbes
07-06-2025
- Science
- Forbes
The Internet Is Wrong About The World's ‘Fastest' Snake — A Biologist Explains
Ask Google what the fastest snake in the world is and you'll likely get an answer that looks something like this: The sidewinder rattlesnake is generally considered the fastest snake in the world, reaching speeds of up to 18 mph. The black mamba and the eastern brown snake are also very fast, reaching speeds of 12 mph. This is incorrect, for a reason I'll explain in a minute. Ask ChatGPT the same thing and you'll get a better answer, but still not the correct one: The fastest snake in the world is the black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis). Key Facts: While many snakes are excellent at striking quickly, the black mamba holds the record for sustained land speed. Neither of these answers are correct. But, if I were to put my money on the black mamba or the sidewinder in a hypothetical snake race, I'd wager on the black mamba. Simply put, the kinematics of sidewinding motion are not optimized for speed, as explained in a recent paper published in the Journal of Experimental Biology. Biomechanical research clocks the sidewinder topping out at around 2.2 mph on the ground. Thus, the average person at a normal walking pace would have no issue steering clear of this venomous species. The black mamba is considerably faster, but still would be no match for the world's fastest snake – or, fastest group of snakes, I should say – which rely on a completely different method of locomotion: gliding. There are five species of gliding snakes in the world, all belonging to the genus Chrysopelea. Here's an overview of each. The paradise flying snake (Chrysopelea paradisi) is a master of aerial locomotion. Native to Southeast Asia, this snake can launch itself from treetops and flatten its body into a wing-like shape, allowing it to 'fly' through the air for distances of up to 100 feet or more. While its ground speed isn't particularly impressive, what makes this snake remarkable is its ability to move faster through the air than any snake can on the ground. Its gliding motion can reach speeds up to 25 mph depending on launch height and body size, according to research published in the Journal of Experimental Biology. In addition to flattening its body, the snake enhances its gliding performance by performing lateral undulations in midair, a behavior often described as 'swimming through the air.' The golden flying snake (Chrysopelea ornata) is another skilled glider, though slightly less proficient than its close relative, the paradise flying snake. Found across much of southern Asia, the golden flying snake shares similar flying mechanics: it flattens its ribs and forms a concave shape to create lift. It's often seen leaping from the treetops in search of prey or to escape predators. Studies show it's capable of adjusting its trajectory mid-flight, allowing for agile, controlled movement that rivals the ability of other gliding animals such as gliding squirrels and lizards. In one of the first experimental studies on Chrysopelea gliding, researchers observed a golden flying snake launch from a 135-foot (41-meter) tower, execute a 180-degree turn, and land back on the same structure. The banded flying snake (Chrysopelea pelias) is another forest-dwelling species found across Southeast Asia, from southern Thailand to Java and eastward to Borneo. Like its relatives, it displays remarkable aerial agility, though its gliding performance remains relatively understudied. It typically measures under 3 feet (1 meter) in length. As with all Chrysopelea species, it is a mildly venomous colubrid, using rear fangs to deliver venom that poses little threat to humans – unlike front-fanged species such as the aforementioned black mamba or sidewinder rattlesnake, whose venom is far more potent. Endemic to Sulawesi and the Molucca Islands of Indonesia, the Moluccan flying snake (Chrysopelea rhodopleuron) is one of the lesser-studied members of its genus. However, its anatomy suggests it shares the same gliding adaptations, and anecdotal field reports indicate it is also an adept aerial traveler. Like its relatives, it is likely an active, arboreal, daytime hunter of lizards and other small vertebrates – capable of gliding through the air in pursuit of prey or to evade predators at speeds that would be impossible to achieve on the ground. Evolutionarily, it is one of the oldest members of the genus, with genetic estimates suggesting it diverged from its relatives around 20 million years ago. The Sri Lankan flying snake (Chrysopelea taprobanica) is found only in Sri Lanka and southern India, where it overlaps with its more widespread relative, the golden flying snake. Described in 1943, it is the most recently recognized member of the genus, and little is known about it beyond its distribution. To date, its gliding abilities remain unstudied. Are you an animal lover who owns a pet, perhaps even a pet snake (the non-flying kind)? Take the science-backed Pet Personality Test to know how well you know your little friend.
Daily Mail
23-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
Detail in how young people walk that predicts if they'll suffer a deadly health problem in your 60s, experts reveal
Scientists can now predict how likely you are to suffer a potentially deadly fall in your 60s based on how you walk in your 20s. Falls are a major cause of injury and death among older people in the UK. Official data suggests a third of over 65s suffer a fall in Britain each year and the accident is the most common cause of death from injury among this group. Falls are also the leading cause of A&E visits for older people in the nation, and treating them costs the NHS an estimated £2billion each year. But now scientists say they may have found a way to identify people at increased risk of life-threatening falls decades before they reach an advanced age. In the study, experts from Stanford University in the US found they were able to accurately predict fall risk from three simple measurements. These were how variable the width between steps was when walking, how different the timing of each step was, and how consistently they placed their feet on the ground. Writing in the Journal of Experimental Biology, the authors said each of these measurements was 86 per cent accurate in predicting if someone would fall later in the experiment. In the study, the researchers had 10 healthy volunteers aged between 24 and 31 walk on a treadmill in front of 11 special cameras. Using these, scientists were able to capture precise data on how exactly each person walked from every angle. In the second stage, each of volunteers was asked to walk on the treadmill again but this time while wearing heavy ankle bracelets, a vision impairing mask, and destabilising air jets. This combination of gear was designed to mimic the loss of balance and reaction speed to falls that comes with older age. Analysing the results, they found participants with the highest variance step width, step timing, and where they placed their feet in the first stage were more likely to fall in the second. The team highlighted how, in many countries, medics typically only assess how people walk and their potential fall risk after they start showing mobility issues. Jiaen Wu, lead author of the paper, said data like that gathered in their study could be used to help predict falls among older people before they are at risk. 'One big challenge is that small balance impairments can go unnoticed until someone actually falls,' they said. They added that stopping falls before they occur would potentially save many lives and healthcare systems billions in costs. The new research follows a recent study that showed elderly people who have a positive attitude towards ageing were more likely to recover better if they have a fall. About one in three people aged 65 years and over have a fall at least once each year, increasing to one in two people aged 80 years and over, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Official data show there were almost 220,000 falls-related A&E hospital admissions among people aged 65 years and over in England in the last financial year. Falls can cause older people to suffer fractures to their hips, which in turn can lead to worsening mobility and a greater risk of future falls and further injury. Older people are more vulnerable to falls due to a general weakness and frailty that come with age which also makes it more challenging for them to recover.
