While using high-resolution video trials, biologists led by Christian Brown, a researcher at Washington State University, discovered that wandering salamanders can finely control the blood flow to each side of the toe tip asymmetrically, to increase or decrease the contact area with the surface.

When the salamander prepares to jump over branches, it quickly fills the toe tip with blood. The increased blood pressure helps salamanders to detach from the tree, as the blood influx increases the pressure and causes the toe pads to expand momentarily. This slight lift reduces the contact area, making it easier to detach from the surface.

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Equally vital is the reverse process; wandering salamanders swiftly drain the blood from their toe tips when they land. This softens the toes and increases surface contact, allowing them to conform better to the irregular and rough texture, providing a more secure and effective grip that prevents the salamander from slipping.

They regulate the pressure dynamically depending on whether they're stepping, gripping, or releasing.

"If you're climbing a redwood and have 18 toes gripping bark, being able to detach efficiently without damaging your toe tips makes a huge difference," Brown said in a statement.