What Are The Different Ways That Snakes Move?
Snakes don’t have limbs like other animals and they are known to crawl as their method of movement. To do so, they use their bendy body that consists of a flexible spine with up to 400 ribs attached. Muscles connected to the ribs help snakes with moving forward. Belly scales are also crucial when it comes to snake movements. However, crawling is not the only method of movement. In fact, snake movement patterns are quite complicated and we can differentiate four kinds of movements that snakes exhibit.
Serpentine Method
This is a motion commonly used by most snakes. To move in such a way, the snake contracts its muscles starting at the head and then moves its body from one side to another, creating an S-shaped series of curves. While moving in this S-shaped way, snakes push off any obstacles that appear in front of them – such as rocks or any other objects. This wavy motion unfortunately doesn’t work over slick surfaces like glass. The serpentine method is also known as lateral undulation, moreover, this motion is what most people imagine when thinking about snakes.

Concertina Method
This method may not be snakes’ favorite as it is quite difficult for them, however, it is very useful whenever they need to move ahead in tight spaces. The snake braces the back of their body and at the same time pushes the anterior part in the forward direction. Afterward, the snake drops the front of their body, just to straighten and pull back the posterior part next. In this method, snakes use their belly scales to grip the surface. The movement is achieved by continually springing forward in order to find a new spot to grip the anterior part of the snake’s body.
Sidewinding Method
Snakes contract their muscles and push off only two contact points to launch their body forward. The snake’s head goes first and then the rest of the body follows moving sideways. It’s quite a complicated movement that is used by snakes on slippery or loose surfaces such as sand.
Rectilinear Method
This is a slow, steady movement often described as ‘creeping’. Snakes use their wide belly scales to grip the ground and at the same time use different scales to be pushed in the forward direction. It’s a wavy motion where the snake body forms small, up, and down curves.
These are the four main types of snake movement; however, a variety of motions are present with different species.
Select Your Animal

Raccoons
Raccoon Removal Information & How-To Tips

Squirrel
Squirrel Removal Information & How-To Tips

Opossum
Opossum Removal Information & How-To Tips

Skunks
Skunks Removal Information & How-To Tips

Rats
Rat Removal Information & How-To Tips

Mouse
Mouse Removal Information & How-To Tips

Bat
Bat Removal Information & How-To Tips

Bird
Bird Removal Information & How-To Tips

Snake
Snake Removal Information & How-To Tips

Beaver
Beaver Removal Information & How-To Tips

Mole
Mole Removal Information & How-To Tips

Vole
Vole Removal Information & How-To Tips

Gopher
Gopher Removal Information & How-To Tips

Rabbit
Rabbit Removal Information & How-To Tips

Woodchuck
Woodchuck Removal Information & How-To Tips

Flying Squirrel
Flying Squirrel Removal Information & How-To Tips

Chipmunk
Chipmunk Removal Information & How-To Tips

Coyote
Coyote Removal Information & How-To Tips

Fox
Fox Removal Information & How-To Tips

Wild Hog
Wild Hog Removal Information & How-To Tips

Dead Animal
Dead Animal Removal Information & How-To Tips