Can you climb like a mountain goat?
Comparative anatomy is a great way to better understand our own bodies through the lens of another subject.
π Up to 60% of the Rocky Mountain goat’s weight is supported by their front legs. This occurs because of the large musculature surrounding its neck and shoulder region. While one would think this would make scaling cliffs significantly more challenging, in fact it helps contribute to innate climbing abilities.
π Their top heavy physique contributes to a forward centre of gravity (COG) that is key in maintaining balance as they scale vertical cliff faces and ensures that their weight is positioned over their front hooves to allow for further point precision as well as increased pressure to prevent slipping.
π§ββοΈ Human trapezius muscle is not as developed as in mountain goats, but humans have the ability to build up incredible finger and shoulder strength!
Thank you to πΊπΈ Tiffany Fung, a medical illustrator and passionate climber. She is one of the creators of Biotic Artlab, a medical illustration studio based in π³π± The Netherlands.
Tiffany created this comparative anatomy infographic for Ryan Lewinson at the University of Calgary in Canada.
