wisdom
Or like the Leopard tortoise ( Stigmochelys pardalis ), whose design is so economical and protective — in almost every sense — that it has endured for thousands of years in the harsh, often arid grasslands and savannahs of southern and East Africa. Whose horned skin and high-domed shell protect it from the relatively few predators capable of threatening it and shield it from the heat of the sun. Whose sturdy, paddle-shaped rear legs and pigeon- toed front feet allow it to manoeuvre across rocky terrain and negotiate surprisingly difficult ground in search of food, guided by a keen sense of smell. Whose shell and large lung capacity make it buoyant in water, allowing it to swim when necessary — the only tortoise species that can. Whose slow metabolism means it expends remarkably little energy, while its diet of grasses, succulents, and fallen fruits provides
Or like the dung beetle, whose remarkable design has made a living from something that, in nature, is unlikely ever to be in short supply: dung. Who gives back to the ecosystem by helping to reduce the spread of disease and recycle nutrients and minerals into the soil, laying the foundation for future growth. A design perfectly suited to a world in which other animals continually create the resource on which it depends. From the largest animals on the continent to some of its smallest, the same principle applies: when a design works, evolution can spend generations refining it rather than replacing it. But the world in which these designs evolved is changing faster than many species can adapt. The constants are no longer surrounded by natural change alone; they are increasingly confronted by change of our making. And if these remarkable survivors are to endure, the question is no longer simply whether they can adapt to their world, but whether we can adequately protect the world to which they are adapted.
much of the water it needs to survive. Who retains this precious moisture extremely efficiently.
Right The smallest forms of life often have the most to teach us about resilience.
Powered by FlippingBook