Ability to swim: Difference between revisions
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===Other=== |
===Other=== |
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[[Image:Spheniscus demersus swimming.jpg|thumb|200px|African Penguin swimming]] |
[[Image:Spheniscus demersus swimming.jpg|thumb|200px|African Penguin swimming]] |
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It has been speculated that some varieties of [[armadillo]]s, and [[eagle]]s cannot swim at all.{{ref|camel}} It is disputed whether [[bats]] can swim. |
It has been speculated that some varieties of [[armadillo]]s, and [[eagle]]s cannot swim at all.{{ref|camel}} It is disputed whether [[bats]] can swim. |
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[[Hamster]]s fill their cheek pouches with air before taking the plunge. |
[[Hamster]]s fill their cheek pouches with air before taking the plunge.<sup title="The text in the vicinity of this tag needs citation." class="noprint">[[[Wikipedia:Citing sources|''citation needed'']]]</sup>{{#if: {{NAMESPACE}} || [[Category:Articles with unsourced statements]] }} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 12:05, 7 September 2006
Swimming is the ability to travel distances, or stay alive while submerged in water. Swimming is an activity that is useful and recreational for many animal species. It occurs for bathing, fishing, travelling, cooling, and avoiding enemies. Swimming can be either very natural, or very unnatural, but is generally somewhere in between. An individual's ability to swim can be judged by speed, or duration before drowning.
Humans often learn to swim in formal swimming lessons. To stay afloat in water, very little action is needed; the human body is slightly less dense than the water. Human swimming involves the use of all four limbs in a unique way to how they are used during walking. [1] Those with lower body fat, and a high center of gravity, have a tougher time staying afloat.[2] The most efficient swimming techniques involve submerging the nose and mouth in water, posing challenges for swimming and breathing simultaneously. People generally cannot swim comfortably without experience or practice, and have on many occasions drowned, often due to panic. Children generally do not swim independently until 4 years of age.[3] Drowning is the 2nd leading cause of death among Canadian children 1-4 years old.[4]
Other animals
As a general rule, animals with lungs have an easier time floating than those without.[5]. Also, for most quadrupedal (four footed) animals, the act of swimming involves the same basic activities as the act of walking or running, thus, the ability for animals to swim is often quite natural.
Gorillas
It is speculated that gorillas can swim, but they are not very good at it. Gorillas and orangutans have a very high center of gravity.[6] Given the choice, they will go to great lengths to avoid putting themselves in a position where they would need to swim.[7] There are no known instances of someone dropping a gorilla into a body of water to prove or disprove the swimming gorilla hypothesis.
Camels
Although there is speculation to the contrary, a number of eyewitnesses have confirmed that camels, including Dromedaries and Bactrians, can indeed swim.[8] There is not much deep water in their natural habitats, so swimming is very unnatural.
Horses
Horses can swim quite well, and have demonstrated this ability for many spectators in the past, including the ability to (willingly) dive into water from platforms 60 feet up.[9](see horse diving)
Dogs
The method of swimming used by dogs is known as the doggie paddle. Some breeds of dog swim recreationally. Umbra, a world record holding dog can swim 4 miles in 73 minutes, placing her in the top 25% in human long-distance swimming competitions.[10]
Other
It has been speculated that some varieties of armadillos, and eagles cannot swim at all.[11] It is disputed whether bats can swim. Hamsters fill their cheek pouches with air before taking the plunge.[citation needed]