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[[Image:Snake_Locomotion-_Sidewinding.jpg|250px|thumb|right|'''Snake locomotion: sidewinding''' Source: Wikimedia Commons; Author: José Reynaldo da Fonseca (2007)]]
==Introduction==
Since snakes lack limbs locomotion is very different to most other vertebrates. Locomotion is produced by different types of movement based on absence or presence of contact between the animal's body and the medium through which the snake is moving. Most species can use different types of locomotion but some species are specialised and use only one.
Since snakes lack limbs locomotion is very different to most other vertebrates. Locomotion is produced by different types of movement based on absence or presence of contact between the animal's body and the medium through which the snake is moving. Most species can use different types of locomotion but some species are specialised and use only one.
==Lateral undulation==)
==Lateral undulation==
Lateral undulation is the type of locomotion usually associated with snakes (i.e. side to side wriggling). At any given time various areas of the snake’s body are pushing simultaneously against a number of fixed points. As the snake moves forward new contact points are made. This is identical for movement across desert, through branches or swimming.
Lateral undulation is the type of locomotion usually associated with snakes (i.e. side to side wriggling). At any given time various areas of the snake’s body are pushing simultaneously against a number of fixed points. As the snake moves forward new contact points are made. This is identical for movement across desert, through branches or swimming.
==Rectilinear crawling==
==Rectilinear crawling==
The edges of the scales act as anchor points and the muscles then pull the body up to that point. This is often used by large snakes. The motion is similar to that of a caterpillar crawling involving waves of bilaterally symmetrical muscle contractions.
The edges of the scales act as anchor points and the muscles then pull the body up to that point. This is often used by large snakes. The motion is similar to that of a caterpillar crawling and involves waves of bilaterally symmetrical muscle contractions.
* This type of locomotion is common in [[Boidae|boas]], [[Pythoninae|pythons]], and stocky [[Viperidae|vipers]].
* This type of locomotion is common in [[Boidae|boas]], [[Pythoninae|pythons]], and stocky [[Viperidae|vipers]].
* '''For information on the snake musculoskeletal system, [[Snake Musculoskeletal System|see here]]'''.
* '''For information on the snake musculoskeletal system, [[Snake Musculoskeletal System|see here]]'''.
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[[Category:Snake_Physiology]]
[[Category:Snake_Physiology]]