How do animals regrow their limbs? And why can't humans do it? - Jessica Whited
485,613 Views
968 Questions Answered
TEDEd Animation
Let’s Begin…
For some animals, losing a limb is a decidedly permanent affair. But for salamanders, particularly axolotls, amputation is just a temporary affliction. Not only can they grow back entire limbs in as little as six weeks, they can also regenerate heart and even brain tissue. So, how does this astonishing adaptation work? Jessica Whited explores the incredible regenerative capacity of salamanders.
What do you think the costs and benefits of regenerating a limb in the wild are likely to be? What kind of habitat and lifestyle factors might influence whether species retain regenerative traits, elaborate them, or lose them over evolutionary time?
Sign in to answer questionAbout TED-Ed Animations
TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »
Meet The Creators
- Educator Jessica Whited
- Director Anton Bogaty
- Narrator Jack Cutmore-Scott
- Sound Designer Cem Misirlioglu
- Composer Cem Misirlioglu
- Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
- Produced by Abdallah Ewis
- Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
- Editorial Producer Dan Kwartler
- Script Editor Nidhi Upadhyaya
