Re: Possums was Anhingas (A Challenge)

["T. Michael Keesey" <keesey@gmail.com>]

On 5/3/05, T. Michael Keesey <keesey@gmail.com> wrote:
> Developing greater speed, agility, etc. requires more resources than
> developing stubby little 'possum legs. An opossum with longer legs
> might be able to evade predators or catch prey more successfully than
> other opossums, but it would also need to eat somewhat more to
> maintain those larger legs. Apparently for opossums (and many many
> other species), this is not an advantageous trade-off. (See for
> yourself--they're doing just fine.)

I should also point out that long legs are a disadvantage in some
circumstances, e.g., if you're trying to hole up inside a hollow
stump.

--Mike Keesey