What do running robots, Velcro, Bionic cars, Speedo swimsuits and bullet trains all have in common?

You might be surprised to learn that the answer is…animals! Nature was the inspiration behind the invention of each of these things.

Since the dawn of time, inventors have been copying from Mother Nature -- otherwise known as biomimicry (“bio” meaning life, and “mimicry” meaning to copy). Your teacher might not approve, but in this case we’d be crazy not to. Nature’s had literally millions of years to perfect how it does things – from species that fly millions of miles, climb impossible surfaces or can breathe underwater. We could certainly learn a thing or two from it all. 

Forget Superman, think Gecko-gal (or guy)

Take geckos for example. These skilled scalers can climb slippery surfaces with ease, and they can hang from glass on just a single toe! Their secret is in the millions of tiny hairs (called setae) on the bottom of their feet. A single hair isn’t that powerful, but together they have an amazing adhesive effect.

Now just imagine a tape that has the same super clingy potential as gecko feet. Scientists still have to work out a couple of the stickier details (get it??) but they’re not ruling out a future that includes wall-climbing gecko-imitators.

It all started with Velcro

Some say that biomimicry all started with an engineer named George de Mestral in the 1940s. After returning from a trip with his dog they both found themselves covered in burrs. Instead of tugging the pesky seeds off and tossing them aside, George decided to examine them under a microscope. What he saw was hundreds of “hooks” that easily snagged on fur, hair and fabrics, or anything with loops. For burrs, the point was to basically hitch rides far and wide. For George, burrs became his inspiration and he soon designed a fastener known as Velcro (you may have heard of it).

Other cool examples of biomimicry research:

• Scientists think that the structures that allow Mantis Shrimp to see 100,000 colours (10 times what humans can see) could be used in the lasers/lenses of DVD and CD players.
• Researchers at Oregon State University are using cockroaches as a source of inspiration for the world's first robot with legs that would be able to run easily over rough terrain.
• Scientists think that the deadly venom from scorpions could help to create an eco-friendly pesticide.

It’s easy to see why it’s so important that we protect plants and animals and their wild spaces – we’ve got lots to learn from them! We know that many of the organisms alive now are ones whose skills have been the most successful over time, and there are tons of species we haven’t even discovered yet! So before we bulldoze over the next amazing discovery, here are some actions you can take to help protect the planet:

• Spread the word to family and friends about the importance of keeping these inspirational insects (and plants, animals etc.) around!
• Check out this video of nature nerd Janine Benyus talking about even more cool examples of biomimicry.