This
is probably one of THE most frequently asked questions regarding snakes so here
is your guide on how snakes move!
1. Undulatory Motion
This is very similar to how
lizards move, using lateral bending to keep their center of gravity.
Snakes will use this component to push off of irregularities in substrate, thus
thrusting it forward.
2. Concertina Motion
This method of locomotion
enables the snake to move by securing a point and then pushing forward.
Sort of an inching motion. Example A shows
a snake moving through a tube, and Example B shows
the snake moving along a branch, both using concertina motion.
3. Sidewinding
This is the fastest method of
locomotion, and it has a low energy cost making it very efficient. This
is done on a soft, loose substrate by lifting and pushing the body
forward. Only 2 point of the snake’s body makes contact with the
substrate at all times. This makes it a good heat coping behavior in the
hot desert.
4. Rectilinear Locomotion
This
method is used by heavier bodied snakes. Snakes have two sets of muscles
called the superior costocutaneous muscles and the inferior costocutaneous
muscles. For this type of motion first, the superior costocutaneous
muscles pull the skin forward, then the inferior costocutaneous muscles pull
the ribs and body forward. Next time you see a large snake, watch closely
as it moves! It’s very cool to see in action!
The Badlands region in the Utah is famous for its arid and unforgiving landscape, which is decorated by sharp and eroded spires of stone. If you catch it at just the right moment and in the right conditions, however, these apparent wastelands can give birth to an extraordinary explosion of color and life in the form of beautiful wildflowers.
Plants in American desert or desert-like areas have evolved to make the most of their challenging environment. In the spring, when they receive moisture, they spring into action, doing what they can to conserve as much water as possible and to bloom and reproduce quickly. These blooms can be very short-lived to conserve moisture, which is why they can be a rare sight. (Source)
Les arts et l'industrie: recueil de dessins relatifs à l'art de la décoration chez tous les peuples et aux plus belles époques de leur civilisation - Guillaume Hoffmann - 1860 - via Gallica
Modern fish make up a huge part of Earth’s ecosystems, and cover a lot of niches. Predators, omnivores and herbivores are all found in this diverse group. Millions of years of adaptation has sculpted their bodies into the various forms and shapes we see today.
Looking beneath the surface of a fish’s skin can reveal a lot about the ecology of fish – the most diverse group of vertebrates on Earth. Use our image sliders to see under their scales.
