Adhesion and grip key to the perfect climbing technique

Scientists researching how tree frogs climb have discovered that a unique combination of adhesion and grip gives them perfect technique. ‌ The new research, led by the University of Glasgow and published today in the Journal of Experimental Biology , could have implications for areas of science such as robotics, as well as the production of climbing equipment and even tyre manufacture. Researchers found that, using their fluid-filled adhesive toe pads, tree frogs are able to grip to surfaces to climb. When surfaces aren't smooth enough to allow adhesion, researchers found that the frogs relied on their long limbs to grip around objects. University of Glasgow scientists Iain Hill and Jon Barnes gave the tree frogs a series of narrow and wide cylinders to climb. The research team found that on the narrow cylinders the frogs used their grip and adhesion pads, allowing them to climb the obstacle at speed. Wider cylinders were too large for the frogs to grip, so they could only climb more slowly using their suction adhesive pads.