Rhinos' feet tested to see how they support heavy loads

[xchrom]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-16286655



Rhinos are one of the heaviest land animals but one thing puzzles scientists: how do they carry this weight on their stumpy little feet?

Now a team from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) is trying to find out.

Rhinos at Colchester Zoo have been trained to walk across a hi-tech track that is packed full of sensors.

This will allow the researchers to measure the pressure and forces in the rhinos' feet to reveal how the weight is distributed.

Prof John Hutchinson, from the RVC's structure and motion laboratory, said: "Rhino feet are a bit of a mystery to us.


A rhino's foot is surprisingly small given the large amount of weight it has to support

[Viva_La_Revolution]

1. images..

Did you know? Rhinos have 3 toes, Hippos have 4, and Elephants have 5.

[xchrom]

2. great pics. nt

[Thor_MN]

3. Not only a lot of weight, but it looks like they walk en pointe

Ballerina rhinos.... Intelligent design, my ass.