This is due to the formation of 'ice lenses' beneath the surface, indicating that the sponge-like ability of the firn to soak up melting surface water is being lost.Įxperts fear this could lead to increased release of the meltwater into the oceans. Studying the upper layers of snow on the island's glaciers, they found the compacted snowy frosting on the ice cap, called firn, is losing its ability to absorb meltwater. The rate at which water is released from the Greenland ice sheet is accelerating, according to a multinational team of scientists. This would be particularly true for men, who would need to attract a mate through their physique rather than intellect, much like gorillas in the natural world. We might also evolve an extra translucent eyelid to protect the eyes from water. This would also lead to our lung capacity becoming greatly reduced, and our rib cages shrinking.Īn additional layer in the retina - like cat's eyes - could develop to help us see in poor light under water. Regular foraging in shallow waters could lead us to develop artificial 'gills' to help us breathe, extracting oxygen from the water and delivering it to the bloodstream. Others could occur over tens of thousands of years.' Some of these things we might try to develop as a necessity rather than occurring over time naturally. He said: 'We could genetically engineer ourselves if important enough to survive. We would become stronger, as reduced resources and technologies would mean physical power becomes more important. Our noses and face size would increase to help warm inhaled cold air in the nasopharynx, the area behind the nose.
#Webbed feet human skin
In the scenario of an ice age, Dr Skinner predicts that our skin would become very pale to help us produce more vitamin D from less sunlight, we would have more body hair, and we would develop more muscular physiques.
Regular foraging in shallow waters could lead us to develop artificial 'gills' to help us breathe, extracting oxygen from the water and delivering it to the bloodstream. We would also retain a layer of baby fat into adulthood as an insulator for spending long periods submerged. Johnson.īirdNote’s theme was composed and played by Nancy Rumbel and John Kessler.To adapt to a 'water world', Dr Skinner expects humans would develop webbed hands and eyes like those of cats to help us see in the poor lighting conditions underwater. Gadwalls, Canada Geese, and Mallard recorded by T. Today’s show brought to you by the Bobolink Foundation.īird sounds provided by The Macaulay Library of Natural Sounds at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, New York. It’s clear that webbed feet have been a big evolutionary hit. And a parallel adaptation shows up in other creatures that spend time in the water-like otters, frogs and salamanders. A bird may lift its foot away from its body on the forward stroke, actually giving itself a little extra lift and speed.įour hundred different species of birds have webbed feet. And many birds have mastered a stroke that any human swimmer might envy. Then as the bird pulls its foot forward, the toes fold together, to minimize resistance. The toes and webs spread out as the bird pushes its foot backward. In fact, they’re such a nifty adaptation that they evolved, independently, in several bird groups.ĭucks and geese have them, as do gulls, cormorants, loons, pelicans, penguins, puffins and boobies.Įxperiments suggest that a triangular webbed foot is beautifully designed to propel a bird, or other creature, through the water. Webbed feet are ideal for birds that swim, on the water’s surface or under.
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