‘Unique’ grip helps frogs climb trees with ease

Tree frogs are such brilliant climbers due to their “unique” combination of adhesion and grip, according to a new study.

Researchers say their findings could have implications for areas of science such as robotics, as well as the production of climbing equipment and even tyre manufacture.

They found that, using their fluid-filled adhesive toe pads, tree frogs are able to grip to surfaces to climb.

When surfaces are not smooth enough to allow adhesion, the researchers found that the frogs relied on their long limbs to grip around objects.

University of Glasgow scientists Iain Hill and Jon Barnes gave the tree frogs a series of narrow and wide cylinders to climb.

They found that on the narrow cylinders the frogs used their grip and adhesion pads, allowing them to climb the obstacle at speed.