How Salamanders Skydive From the Tallest Trees in the World

When a hungry bird comes near them, wandering salamanders can jump off the tallest trees in the world, California’s coast redwoods, skydiving to a safe branch. Researchers decided to put them in a wind tunnel to investigate their daring moves in slow motion.

TRANSCRIPT

This salamander is about to leap off the tallest tree in the world. But it’s gonna be OK.

These tiny amphibians, called wandering salamanders, live at the tops of coast redwoods in California, which can grow as tall as 30-floor skyscrapers.

The wandering salamander can spend the entirety of its 20-year-long life never once touching the forest floor.

Lush fern mats that grow high up on massive branches and burls make a perfect home.

But as damp and cozy as these fern mats are, they’re not without peril. Hungry neighbors like this Steller’s jay patrol the canopy. When they get too close, the wandering salamander goes skydiving. They don’t usually glide all the way to the ground, just to the next safe spot in the tree.

So, without wings, skin flaps, or webbed toes, how does the salamander steer itself in the air?

Scientists at the University of South Florida and UC Berkeley put wandering salamanders in a wind tunnel to learn more about their tricks.

The researchers also gave other salamanders the chance to try out that wind tunnel. They didn’t perform so well.

OK, who’s ready for skydiving academy?

The wandering salamander can control its upwards or downwards angle, or pitch, by swinging its long flexible tail up or down.

To turn while staying level, it swings that tail side to side, controlling its yaw.

To roll one way, it rotates its tail in the opposite direction. That’s called roll.

It can even make banked turns.

See how it dips its foot into the airstream – like a paddle changing the course of a canoe?

And this parachute posture slows them down and prepares them for landing.

Now how do they stick that landing?

The answer’s in their fabulous feet. Scientists think the forceful impact of their landing causes the feet to flex. That traps blood in their toes, swelling and stiffening them into grippy claws.

Those toes are a huge asset as the salamander makes its long, arduous climb.

Once it reaches the crown of the tree, it’ll be ready to take that leap of faith again and again and again.

Hi, it’s Laura. Question for all you amphibian lovers: How are toads so amazing at catching bugs? Well, they smack ’em with a supersoft tongue covered in special spit! How special? Watch our episode to find out. See you there.