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| Main Author: | |
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| Format: | Recurso digital |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Zenodo
1972
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.2307/1379044 |
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Table of Contents:
- <p>Rotation of the hind foot and associated climbing techniques, plus other adaptations associated with climbing rocks and trees by ringtails (<em>Bassariscus astutus</em>), were studied in captivity and under natural and seminatural conditions in Zion National Park, Utah. The ringtail hind foot can rotate externally at least 180 degrees, permitting rapid head-first descent of rocks, cliffs, trees, narrow slab edges, and thin branches, sometimes without the use of claws. Examination of X-rays and articular facets show that rotation occurs at the hip-femur, calcaneumtalus, and intratarsal joints. Other adaptive behavior includes "chimney stemming" between vertical walls, "ricocheting" off vertical surfaces, accurate "power leaping," techniques to reverse direction on narrow ledges, and claustrophilia.</p>