Snakes and types of movements
There are several methods of locomotion that a snake may use for moving its body around. There are several methods of moment that they can use. It can depend on the species as well as what they are trying to do. Most snakes can use different types of locomotion to benefit from their environment.
The concertina method involves the snake being wound up and then it uses the energy to thrust forward. This is often referred to as striking due to the way it looks. When a snake is close to prey it will take part in this method so that they have the element of surprise. This same form of locomotion may be used to try to scare away predators.
This type of movement also helps when they are underground in a tunnel. They use the force of the body to extend and straighten the front portion of the body. The back of it has an anchor point that is used to pull it forward. It works well but it is also a type of movement that uses up plenty of energy.
With the serpentine method there is the movement that is from side to side. This is what type of movement they take part in that most people are familiar with. This may be slow moving but it helps them to conserve energy. It also allows them to remain undetected.
Lateral undulation is used in the water so that they can use the movement of the waves to propel them. This process allows them to move at a decent speed. It also ensures that they don’t use up all their energy in the process of moving around.
Sometimes they have to take part in side winding which is very similar to the lateral movements. They use the body to lift up a part of the body so that they can use the other parts of it as a form of traction. Should they be in the mud or other slippery area then they are going to need to push off with those part of the body that do have plenty of traction. This is what prevents the snake from slipping.
The slowest form of movement for any snake is rectilinear movement. They rely on the muscles around the stomach to move them. The muscles create ripples through the skin. Many of the largest species of snakes rely on this form of moment to help them conserve energy. It also prevents them from making noise that could give prey the chance to get away.
While all snakes are able to move forward, there are very few that are able to move backwards (sea snakes). It is difficult for the body and it takes up a great deal of energy. This is why they often don’t do it. As a result most people believe it is merely a myth that any snake can move backward.
They may move in a variety of ways in order to speed of the process of the molting occurrence. They need to be able to get that skin off as it is dry and itchy. By moving in various directions they can create small tears in it. This is going to help it dry completely in less time. Then they can start to have pieces of it fall off.
There are plenty of videos online that show snakes in the various types of locomotion. If you get a chance you should watch them. The visual element will allow you to see just how versatile the body of a snake is. It will also help you to see why some of them are able to move faster than others.
