biomimicry

Trapdoor jaw ant Odontomachus bauri head showing mandibles with trigger hairs From “30 Animsl that made us Smarter” by Patrick Aryee (BBC Books)

Gecko foot anatomy showing branched setae under magnification.  This microscopic branching is what makes gecko feet so sticky.  Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Aryee (BBC Books).

Mosquito mouthparts diagram featuring an Anopholes female mosquito.  These mouthparts allow the mosquito to break skin, and access blood without disturbing the host. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)

Tardigrade Hypsibius dujardini.  These aquatic microscopic animals are almost bomb proof, and certainly are some of the toughest animals on planet Earth.  Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books)

Blue mussels Mytilus edulis with byssal threads on wooden piling.  Illustration includes barnacles and limpets, and some bladder wrack seaweed.  Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

Web stabilimentum showing cruciate type, in the web of the orb spider Silver agriope Agriope argentata. Illustration from “30 Animals that made us smarter” by Patrick Ayree (BBC Books).

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis, an animal used by humans for biomimicry. Illustration from the cover of “30 animals that made us smarter” by Partick Aryee.  This illustration cannot be re-used in any other book titles.

Kingfisher Alcedo atthis, an animal used by humans for biomimicry. Illustration from the cover of “30 animals that made us smarter” by Partick Aryee.  This illustration cannot be re-used in any other book titles.

Egyptian Rousette Bat Rousettus aegyptiacus, an animal used by humans for biomimicry. Illustration from the cover of “30 animals that made us smarter” by Partick Aryee.  This illustration cannot be re-used in any other book titles.

Egyptian Rousette Bat Rousettus aegyptiacus, an animal used by humans for biomimicry. Illustration from the cover of “30 animals that made us smarter” by Partick Aryee.  This illustration cannot be re-used in any other book titles.

Illustration of the Carribean reef octopus which shows cryptic colouration. Illustration from the cover of “30 animals that made us smarter” by Partick Aryee.  Illustration cannot be re-used in any other book titles.

Illustration of the Carribean reef octopus which shows cryptic colouration. Illustration from the cover of “30 animals that made us smarter” by Partick Aryee.  Illustration cannot be re-used in any other book titles.

Illustration from the cover of “30 animals that made us smarter” by Partick Aryee.  Illustration cannot be re-used in any other book titles.

Illustration from the cover of “30 animals that made us smarter” by Partick Aryee.  Illustration cannot be re-used in any other book titles.