Grasshoppers

Leaping is so advantageous that some grasshopper species have lost the ability to fly. Grasshoppers can repeatedly jump many times their body length without tiring, attaining speeds up to ten times greater than the speed of a running insect. The muscular back legs of grasshoppers allow powerful propulsion. The legs have a muscular femur (thigh), a long, slender tibia (shin), and a five-jointed foot with claws. Before jumping, the grass hopper flexes its rear legs and projects itself through the air with an explosive kick, sometimes using its wings to help it glide. Grasshoppers mainly move by leaping and seldom fly long distances.