Geckos are able to run at nearly 3 feet (1 m) per second over water and easily transition to speeding across solid ground or climbing up a vertical surface. 'When they hit the water they actually create an air bubble, which generates extra force and helps their body stay above the surface,' says Nirody. 'Still, whereas basilisks can support the entirety of their body weight with water slapping, geckos can support only about a quarter of their weight using this technique,' explained the study. The geckos could no longer support themselves, suggesting that surface tension was helping them stay above water. 'Geckos have this amazing superhydrophobic skin that repels water and enhances their ability to stay above the surface,' says Nirody.

Source: Daily Mail December 06, 2018 16:03 UTC