Sliding on Water

Picture from: National Geographic News

I just saw this article today about a small aquatic snail that can squeegee along on the surface of water. The snail is so small and light that it doesn't sink. Scientists have been perplexed at how the snail moves along the surface of the water because the water is slippery and the snails can't grip it, much like humans trying to walk on ice. Scientists recently discovered that the snail makes small rippling motions with its foot and creates traction for itself.

I found this very interesting! It can't be applied to humans, because to have spread our weight around enough so we don't sink, we'd have to have each shoe as large as a football field. However, it's really interesting how the snails evolved to do this.