NavList:
A Community Devoted to the Preservation and Practice of Celestial Navigation and Other Methods of Traditional Wayfinding
Re: Sperm whale buoyancy.
From: Peter Fogg
Date: 2007 Mar 21, 02:56 +1100
From: Peter Fogg
Date: 2007 Mar 21, 02:56 +1100
Evolution is truly amazing. From creatures adapted to live in the seas came animals comparable with dogs and cows that returned to the ocean and re-adapted themselves for such a specialised existence as the sperm whale. Evolution seems quite capable of these abrupt about faces; granting what is useful, withdrawing what is surplus to requirements. We tend to think highly of our own specialities and in particular of our intelligence, which seems to be quite unique (although when you look at some of the results you have to wonder ..). But from evolution's point of view intelligence is nothing special, just a useful adaptation. It is typical of hunting animals and typically is not remarkable in those creatures for whom it serves little useful purpose. Indeed these animals enjoy advantages of, for example, having a high boredom threshold - they seem quite contented to do little enough, which can be a blessing both for themselves and their environment. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ To post to this group, send email to NavList@fer3.com To , send email to NavList-@fer3.com -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
