Unraveling the Mystery of Crocodile Scales: A Mechanical Marvel

The intricate patterns on a crocodile’s head, far from being genetically predetermined like those on other animals, are formed through a purely mechanical process, according to breakthrough research.

Scientists have long been captivated by the unique scaling of crocodiles, which contrasts sharply with the
regular patterns observed with scales, hair, and feathers in other creatures. This distinctive feature, departing
from the usual genetic blueprint, begged for an explanation.

“This is entirely different from what we see in most other cases,” explained Professor Michel Milinkovitch of the University of Geneva, who led the study.

“Scales, hair, or feathers typically form through a gene-driven process, with specific genes being activated during development, leading to a pattern,” continued Milinkovitch.

This traditional process, first elucidated by mathematician and computer scientist Alan Turing, results in predictable, symmetrical patterns like those we see on butterflies or fish.

But crocodiles
are an anomaly.

The genesis of the crocodile’s scaly armor

lies not in their genes, but in the physical properties of their developing skin. Milinkovitch and his team observed that the rapid growth rates of the crocodile’s face and jaw skin, exceeding the growth of underlying tissues. This creates a mechanical tension.

In essence, as the skin outpaces the underlying tissues, it folds inward, much like the way cracks develop in drying mud.

This simple interaction—akin to a pulling force

generating intricate shapes—results in the unique, irregular patterns

seen on crocodile heads.

Further investigation by the researchers discovered that variations in the rate of skin growth and the

material properties of crocodile skin.

As different species of crocodile have variations

subject to variations in these contributing factors,
resulting in the

“../../repeat

”

“They’ve cracked the code

“… said Milinkovitch, illustrating the mechanical orchestration

behind the

atest dynamic found to explain forms remarkably dissimilar

.

The team published their findings

in the

m

They statistically significant,”

scattering

a finding that illuminates

“What

see

is

that we can produce

the

pattern of any

And now we’re

understanding

how to

”

We’ve desiccated mud”—