Jaunted

Forgive my fixation on the topic, as I am suffering from a high fever today, but this seems as good a time as any for a primer on brachiation. The only two true brachiators are the lesser apes, namely gibbons and siamangs, and they're really good at it. (Spider monkeys and orangutans are semibrachiators.) Just check out these brachiation videos.

As you can see in the first clip, the gibbon can fly across the bars with ease, while the human's flailing effort pales in comparison. That's because gibbons have freely rotating shoulder joints, which humans lack, allowing them to travel up to six meters (20 feet) with each swing. Still, with a focus on proper technique, as shown in the third video, a human can manage well enough, evidence of our protobrachiator ancestors. The secret: slow down and control your momentum.

So where can you practice your brachiating? Well, if you happen to be in a rainforest or other woodland area with a low canopy, you could give it a try. But the monkey bars in your local playground work just as well. Just don't show up unless you have kid with you, because the sight of a childless adult brachiating in a playground might cause a stir among the regulars. You've got to be discreet with this kind of thing. I'll tell you this much: it's harder than it looks. Happy brachiating!

[Photo: mc.maricopa.edu]

Related Stories:
· Brachiation [Brittanica]
· Brachiation [Wikipedia]
· Brachiation Simulation [Animal Simulation Laboratory]
· Animal Travel [Jaunted]