How Gecko Toes Stick

By Kellar Autumn

The powerful, fantastic adhesive used by geckos is made of nanoscale hairs that engage tiny forces, inspiring envy among human imitators

Biology Evolution Physics

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March-April 2006

Volume 94, Number 2
Page 124

DOI: 10.1511/2006.58.124

Geckos can run up a wall or across a ceiling with ease because of their remarkable toes. But gecko toes aren't sticky in the usual way, like duct tape or Post-it notes. Instead, gecko toes bear a hierarchy of structures that act together as a smarter adhesive.

Andrew Syred/Science Photo Library

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