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Very Slippery

Short answer: Snakes move in four main ways: lateral undulation (serpentine movement), rectilinear movement, sidewinding and concertina movement.

Lateral undulation, the most common, sends waves along the body that push against bumps and surfaces; the snake's belly scales grip in one direction and slide in the other. On very smooth surfaces there is little to push against, so a snake can thrash without moving forward. The footage shows a pale snake struggling to move on a slick surface, with the presenter.

VideoWrite-up1 sources
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What should you know about Very Slippery?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Snakes have four main modes of movement.

    DD-262-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Four modes)

  2. Serpentine movement is the most common.

    DD-262-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Lateral undulation)

Video transcript: Very Slippery: Snakes Have Four Main Ways of Moving

DID YOU KNOW? Snakes move using various forms of locomotion, including serpentine, rectilinear, sidewinding, and concertina movements. Serpentine locomotion, the most common, involves the snake making a series of lateral waves along its body to push against the ground. This requires a high friction surface to provide the necessary resistance for the snake to propel itself forward. Without sufficient friction, the snake would struggle to gain traction and would appear to slither in place. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 24.3s Reel ·

Video coming soonVery Slippery · Instagram Reel
Very Slippery: Snakes Have Four Main Ways of Moving Instagram Reel · · 24.3s

The write-up

Snakes have four main ways of moving. On a slick surface, a snake can struggle to get anywhere.

  1. Exhibit A

    Four modes

    Snakes have four main modes of movement.

  2. Exhibit B

    Lateral undulation

    Serpentine movement is the most common.

  3. Exhibit C

    Pushing

    Snakes push against surface features.

  4. Exhibit D

    Belly scales

    Belly scales grip in one direction.

  5. Exhibit E

    Smooth surfaces

    On smooth surfaces snakes struggle.

Questions people ask about Very Slippery

What is the most common snake movement?

Serpentine.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Four modes) · Wikipedia: Snake locomotion

Which mode is used on loose sand?

Desert snakes.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Lateral undulation) · Wikipedia: Snake locomotion

What does serpentine movement push against?

Needs friction.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Pushing) · Wikipedia: Snake locomotion

What happens on a slick surface?

Little grip.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Belly scales) · Wikipedia: Snake locomotion

How many main modes are there?

Plus variants.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Smooth surfaces) · Wikipedia: Snake locomotion

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. What is the most common snake movement?

    1. Lateral undulation
    2. Sidewinding
    3. Hopping
    4. Rolling
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Lateral undulation Serpentine. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Four modes) · Wikipedia: Snake locomotion

  2. Which mode is used on loose sand?

    1. Sidewinding
    2. Concertina
    3. Rectilinear
    4. Gliding
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Sidewinding Desert snakes. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Lateral undulation) · Wikipedia: Snake locomotion

  3. What does serpentine movement push against?

    1. Surface features
    2. Air
    3. Water only
    4. Nothing
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Surface features Needs friction. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Pushing) · Wikipedia: Snake locomotion

  4. What happens on a slick surface?

    1. The snake struggles to move
    2. It moves faster
    3. It flies
    4. It stops breathing
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. The snake struggles to move Little grip. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Belly scales) · Wikipedia: Snake locomotion

  5. How many main modes are there?

    1. Four
    2. Two
    3. Six
    4. Ten
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Four Plus variants. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Smooth surfaces) · Wikipedia: Snake locomotion

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Very Slippery." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-262, last updated Jul 3, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/very-slippery/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/very-slippery/ · Last updated

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