Deep Look

This salamander is about to leap off the tallest tree in the world.

But its gonna be OK.

These tiny amphibians, called wanderingsalamanders, live at the tops of coast redwoods in California, which cangrow as tall as 30-floor skyscrapers.

The wandering salamander can spend the entirety of its 20-year-long life never once touching the forest floor.

Lush fern mats that grow high up on massive branches and burls make a perfect home.

But as damp and cozy as these fern mats are, theyre not without peril.

Hungry neighbors like this Stellers jay patrol the canopy.

When they get too close ... the wandering salamander goes skydiving.

Theydont usually glide all the way to the ground, just to the next safe spot in the tree.

So, without wings, skin flaps, or webbed toes, how does the salamander steer itself in the air?

Scientists at the University of SouthFlorida and UC Berkeley put wanderingsalamanders in a wind tunnel tolearn more about their tricks.

The researchers also gave othersalamanders the chance to try outthat wind tunnel.

They didnt perform so well.

OK, whos ready for skydiving academy?

The wandering salamander can control its upwards or downwards angle, or pitch, by swinging its long flexible tail up or down.

To turn while staying level, it swings that tail side to side controlling its yaw.

To roll one way, it rotates its tail in the opposite direction.

Thats called roll.

It can even make banked turns.

See how it dips its foot into the airstream like a paddle changing the course of a canoe?

And this parachute posture slows them down and prepares them for landing.

Now how do they stick that landing?

The answers in their fabulous feet.

Scientists think the forceful impact of their landing causes the feet to flex.

That traps blood in their toes, swelling and stiffening them into grippy claws.

Those toes are a huge asset as the salamander makes its long, arduous climb.

Once it reaches the crown of the tree, itll be ready to take that leapof faith ... again and again and again.