2006-10-14 11:15:06 · 11 answers · asked by Giggly Giraffe 7 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
Recent study from scientist who won a Nobel Peace prize ... the news covered it, but didn't say why the woodpeckers didn't get headaches. Anyone know?
2006-10-14 11:34:23 · update #1
some of the people here have given partially correct answers, but here is an article explaining it all:
http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mwoodpecker.html
2006-10-14 13:30:48 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi I watched a tv documentary this week on the very subject. It seems that the brain of a woodpecker is surrounded by a fluid which acts as a shock absorber. That is the reason why they dont suffer headaches.
2006-10-14 18:27:23 · answer #2 · answered by hharry_m_uk 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good question. One could also wonder why woodpeckers don't get concussions. If humans banged their heads against an object as hard as woodpeckers do, they'd wind up in hospital.
2006-10-14 18:24:14 · answer #3 · answered by old lady 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They have a thick shock absorber between there brain and there skull. Most of the force they use to peck is transmitted to there body, not to there brain.
2006-10-14 18:22:25 · answer #4 · answered by Lab 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Their brains aren't surrounded with as much fluid as ours are, their beaks go all the way behind their heads, and they have padding behind their beaks.
2006-10-14 18:23:59 · answer #5 · answered by TJD 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Air pockets in their heads.
2006-10-14 21:48:54 · answer #6 · answered by Mike M 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Are you sure they don't get headaches? How do you know?
2006-10-14 18:24:26 · answer #7 · answered by lenny 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
who says they don't? maybe they've just gotten used to the pain..
2006-10-14 18:23:06 · answer #8 · answered by Byakuya 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I don't know why? (Is this intended to be a joke?)
2006-10-14 18:22:01 · answer #9 · answered by ♥Love Love♥ 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
How would you know that they don't..? o_O
2006-10-14 18:23:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋