Wednesday, March 9, 2011

The first discussion attempt on the Blog

Hello Everyone
This Blog is a little different than your usual entry. Myself and our Guides had a discussion the other day with out a solution. So we would appreciate your input.
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Here is the question: When do Legs become Arms.
And here is what we are asking. At what point does an animal have two arms and not two front legs.
One suggestion was once you can grab something with it and bring it to your mouth, but then an elephant would have 4 legs, 1 arm and no nose.
Another suggestion was, once the animal is in the category primates. But we decided that the front legs of a bush baby are legs not arms.
Then there are birds who can grab with their legs and bring the leg to the mouth.
Another suggestion was once the animal walks upright. But Chimpanzees prefer to walk on all 4 with their two legs and their two arms.
There were plenty more suggestions but no real conclusion, So we are waiting for your input.
Cheers
Claus and the Guides at Sand Rivers

3 comments:

  1. Hi Claus & the team,
    Just having a catch up with Nomad blogs - this is an interesting discussion! I'd say it should be based on how long an animal spends on its back legs only v all four legs - eg animals that spend more than x% of leg useage on just back legs alone have arms rather than legs. How does that stand up? (excuse the pun!)
    Jill, UK

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  2. If I may put my hand up here... Surely an arm is an arm if it's attached to a hand. And a hand is a hand if it has opposable thumbs. And since all primates have opposable thumbs, then surely all primates have hands. And arms.

    And let's not discriminate against primates that walk on all fours for whatever percentage of time, because this primate (me) sure has, from time to time. And I'm not pulling your leg.

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  3. Hello Everyone.
    The opposable Thumbs unfortenately do not stand up.
    Colobus Monkeys have no thumbs.
    Also what about the Kangaroo. They have two arms?
    Claus

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