Rectilinear Locomotion in a Snake (<i>Boa Occidentalis</i>)

Abstract

ABSTRACT The mechanics of three common modes of locomotion in snakes has been subjected to a detailed analysis (Gray, 1946; Gray &amp; Lissmann, 1950). These three modes are (i) the serpentine or horizontal undulatory movement; (ii) the concertina movement; (iii) the crotaline or side-winding movement. A fourth, less common mode, described as ‘rectilinear movement’, has aroused considerable interest since Home (1812) published his ‘Observations intended to show that the progressive motion of snakes is partly performed by means of ribs’.