How Snakes Move: The Science Behind Their Incredible Locomotion

When it comes to the ways that a snake can move, the strike gets the most attention—and for good reason. Whether on the hunt or in defense, a snake’s strike happens incredibly quickly. A snake has between 10,000 and 15,000 muscles, allowing it to hurl its head forward and reach its target in less than 70 milliseconds. That’s one-third of the time it takes to blink. And it’s not just venomous snakes like vipers; even the humble rat snake has a defensive strike just as fast, with an acceleration that would make a human pass out. If you’re prey caught in an ambush, the strike usually happens faster than your nervous system can react. Some animals, like the kangaroo rat, have reflexes quick enough to dodge, but most aren’t so lucky.

Of all the ways snakes move, the strike might be the easiest to understand—it’s like punching someone with your face. What’s more incredible is how snakes can move without limbs, living and hunting in environments as diverse as trees, sand dunes, and even water. Some can even glide through the air. The lizard-like ancestors of snakes likely started to elongate for hunting down holes, but they held onto their limbs for a while. Eventually, these limbs disappeared altogether, but by then, snakes had already mastered getting around without them.

Rectilinear Locomotion

One of the most straightforward ways a snake can move is called rectilinear locomotion. In this method, a snake appears to slide forward in a straight line, almost like a conveyor belt. It uses its ribs and muscles to pull its body forward while keeping its head relatively still. The skin near the belly stretches out and reaches forward, making contact with the ground and then tightening up, pulling the rest of the body forward. This motion is particularly useful for large, heavy snakes moving slowly, as it allows them to move stealthily.

Lateral Undulation

The most recognizable way that snakes move is through lateral undulation, where they create S-shaped curves that push against surfaces. This method might look like magic because the snake’s body moves continuously along a fixed path, almost like it’s gliding

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The snake sets anchor points against surfaces like rocks or branches, and these points help define the shape of its movement. Muscles contract on one side of the snake while relaxing on the other, creating a wave that passes through the snake’s body, pushing it forward.

Sidewinding

On loose surfaces like sand, snakes often use a technique called sidewinding. This method allows them to move efficiently without slipping. Unlike lateral undulation, where every part of the snake is in motion relative to the ground,

sidewinding involves lifting parts of the body off the ground while pushing off stationary contact points. This movement often leaves clear tread marks in the sand, and it’s a highly versatile way to get around.

Concertina Locomotion

When snakes climb, especially in narrow spaces or up trees, they often use concertina locomotion. This technique involves the snake forming tight loops with its body and then pushing or pulling itself forward. It’s a stop-and-go motion that allows snakes to navigate through challenging environments, like dense foliage or tight crevices.

The snake creates anchor points with parts of its body while the rest of the body moves forward, making it an effective way to climb.

Gliding (Flying Snakes)

Some snakes have taken movement to the next level by developing the ability to glide through the air. Known as “flying snakes,” these reptiles flatten their bodies by spreading out their ribs, creating a wing-like shape. As they launch from a high point, they undulate their bodies in the air to stabilize themselves and generate lift, allowing them to glide from tree to tree. While they don’t have landing gear, their light bodies can withstand the impact of landing.

Snakes are masters of movement, adapting their locomotion techniques to suit different environments. Whether they’re striking at prey, slithering up trees, or gliding through the air, their ability to move without limbs is a testament to their evolutionary success.

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