Why cannot humans walk on walls, but some animals do? Know the science behind wall-walking!

Ever wondered why some animals can scamper up walls and humans cannot? Science explained behind this. (Image: Canva)

• Humans cannot walk on walls due to gravity and lack of grip.
• Geckos and ants use unique adaptations to scale walls.
• Scientists study animal abilities to develop wall-climbing tech.

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Have you ever thought of climbing a wall like a superhero? Placing your hands on the vertical wall, running away on your heels and vanishing in the roof? In the case of humans, this is just fantasy but gravity is going to work otherwise.

But wall-walking is the rule in the animal kingdom. Geckos are running around on glass, ants effortlessly on the ceiling and spiders hanging downside down, without having to take a breath. But what is their secret and why are we so solidly rooted in the ground?

Humans cannot do Wall-Walking due to Gravity

This is just a matter of physics, which is the reason why people cannot walk on walls. This is what we call gravity. Each move a human makes, weighs him down. Our feet push in the opposite direction on a flat surface and friction keeps us erect.

There is no material to lean on in a vertical wall. Even smooth human skin and shoes do not provide a sufficient level of grip to offset the weight of our body. In the event that one attempted to walk on the wall, he would always slide down. However, the animals have also developed tricks to defeat the force of gravity.

So, the Rules of Gravity do not apply on Animals?

Animals such as geckos, ant and spiders seem to resist gravity, but they do not. They are still subjected to the influence of gravity. The animals are so small and light that they will have to go through some smart means to overcome gravity.

These are mere tricks of physics and biology in collaboration. Gravity can be overcome by molecular forces and specialised mechanisms in the world of small creatures.

Animals Can Do Something Extraordinary that Humans Cannot

Although humans cannot escape its hold on them, several animals have developed remarkable adjustments that enable them to overcome it. There are animals such as geckos that are able to climb on vertical walls and, in fact, be hanging on their ceilings.

There are other insects like spiders, ants and flies that can do unbelievable things as well. These supernormal powers lie in scale and design. Small, lightweight bodies imply that the molecular forces can take care of gender countering the gravity.

Animals like geckos, ants and spiders appear to defy gravity, but they do not. (Image: Canva)

Are Scientists Making Humans Walk on Walls?

Yes, but only with technology. The scientist research on gecko's feet in order to build wall-climbing robots, powerful adhesives and grip apparatus. Although these robots are able to climb walls, humans are still relegated to such devices as suction boots or climbing aids. It is a science-fiction dream that humans will be able to walk freely on the walls, but innovation is gradually achieving the dream.