Why Don't Woodpeckers Get Concussions From Pecking
By: NDTVNewsDesk
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Woodpeckers don't get concussions because their small brains can withstand high impacts.
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It's not down to any single adaptation - rather, a woodpecker has a suite of modifications.
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A woodpecker's brain is small enough to handle a much higher deceleration force than a human brain.
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The same impact that would cause a human concussion is not violent enough to injure a woodpecker's brain.
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Their heads act as a stiff hammer rather than a shock absorber, with a unique anatomical design that minimises stress.
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The long tongue wraps around the skull act like a natural seatbelt to stabilise the brain and reduce its movement during impact.
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The brain is packed more tightly in the skull and oriented to maximise the contact area with the skull.
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Their eyelids are also designed to close just before impact, protecting the eyes from debris.
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