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Wednesday, July 20. 2016

Efficiency in locomotion


The topic came up: What sorts of critters move using the least energy per unit distance and per unit weight? Fish swimming, birds flying, or animals walking?


You can guess first - answer below the fold -


In order of energy efficiency, fish most efficient, then flight, then walking.


That does not take speed of movement into account, though. Other complications: animals and fish gain efficiency per unit weight for additional weight. So, in the end, the answer is not too meaningful.

Posted by Bird Dog in Natural History and Conservation at 15:19 | Comments (5) | Trackbacks (0)

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A person on a bicycle is one of the most efficient means of locomotion per unit distance.. followed I think by bees.
(I mean bees are in second place, not that a bicycle being chased by bees is the most efficient. although it does make you go faster)
#1 steve nyc on 2016-07-20 15:49 (Reply)
Soaring birds get my vote.
#2 mark on 2016-07-20 21:08 (Reply)
That was my guess as well. Turkey buzzards are not only ugly but clutzy and clumsy on the ground which is why you often see their carcass along side road kill. But in the air they seem to soar effortlessly forever without moving anything but wing tip feathers.
#2.1 indyjonesouthere on 2016-07-21 00:37 (Reply)
Sailboat.
#3 rhhardin (Link) on 2016-07-21 06:48 (Reply)
You're so right. Im down in the Abacos right now burning through $5/gallon gas. Outboards are probably among the least efficient.
#3.1 Mike (Link) on 2016-07-21 08:14 (Reply)

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