Part 5/10:
Once Jansen had designed a creature that could walk elegantly, he faced another set of environmental adaptations. The beach setting posed numerous obstacles such as sinking into soft sand and withstanding strong winds. Researching these issues, he adapted the feet of the Strandbeest to feature a broader surface area, which allowed for better balance and prevented getting stuck.
Moreover, Jansen's designs incorporated clever mechanisms that would help the creatures survive on the beach. For instance, the beests lift slightly to avoid becoming buried in sand, which represents a fascinating evolution in interaction with their habitat. They also developed the ability to cluster during storms, akin to how many real animals band together for safety.