Question

What helps the snakes to slither?
A. It’s a streamlined body shape
B. Long backbone and many interconnected muscles
C. Presence of setae
D. None of the above

Answer 1

Hint: Snakes are limbless creatures . They show different types of motion e.g., rectilinear motion, sidewinding motion, concertina motion, and serpentine motion.

Complete answer: Snakes do not have legs. They move by a slithering movement produced by the muscles and scales. Scales drag against the ground and the snake moves forward. Slithering movement refers to twisting or oscillating movement. These limbless creatures have a long spine or backbone with interconnected muscles which further help in the crawling motion.
Other methods by which snakes move are-
1. Rectilinear motion: In this type of motion snake moves in a straight line and stretches its body using wide scales on its belly to grip the ground.
2. Sidewinding: Body forms vertical waves and move laterally and is mainly performed to move on slippery surfaces like sand and mud. In this type, the snake throws its head forward and the body follows and the same is repeated.
3. Concertina method: Spring-like movement of a snake. Multiple contraction and relaxation occur like a spring. It is the most difficult movement
4. Serpentine movement: Wavy movement and in this motion snake has the highest velocity. This movement is also called lateral undulation and the snake pushes rocks and surfaces and moves forward.
Hence, option B is correct, i.e., Snakes slither on the ground with the help of a long backbone and many interconnected muscles.

Note: Snakes do not have legs and move by slithering on the ground and drag their scales against the ground which helps them to move forward. Other types of motions shown are rectilinear motion, sidewinding, concertina, serpentine motion.