Snakes
have four ways of moving around. Since they don't have legs they use
their muscles and their scales to do the "walking".
Serpentine method: This motion is what most people think of when
they think of snakes. Snakes will push off of any bump or other surface,
rocks, trees, etc., to get going. They move in a wavy motion. They
would not be able to move over slick surfaces like
glass at all. This movement is also known as lateral undulation.
Concertina method: This is a more difficult way for the
snake to move but is effective in tight spaces. The snake braces the back portion of their body while pushing and
extending the front portion. Then the snake drops the front portion of
their body and straightens an pulls the back portion along. It is almost
like they through themselves forward.
Sidewinding: This is a difficult motion to
describe but it is often used by snakes to move on loose or slippery
surfaces like sand or mud. The snake appears to throw its head
forward and the rest of its body follows while the head is thrown
forward again. (See picture.)
Rectilinear
Method:
This is a slow, creeping, straight movement. The snake uses some of the
wide scales on its belly to grip the ground while pushing forward with
the others.
