Saturday, May 5, 2012

Woodpackers and Concussions



Woodpeckers and Concussions

Woodpeckers spend most of their time head pounding against trees and telephone poles, which subjects them to enormous force.  If a human were to conduct the same force on a tree with their head they most likely suffer from great traumatic brain issues.  What is it that helps these woodpeckers out?  First of all woodpeckers have very strong skulls which lead researches to believe that plus their thick neck diffuse the blow at impact.  Also the woodpecker has a third eyelid, which prevents the eyeball from popping out on impact as well.  Cushioning is applied to the brain by the surrounding thick, platelike, spongy bone.



 

 

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