Gait of Animals: Definition & Types of Movement in Different Animals

All living organisms move from one place to another place in search of food, shelter, and to protect themselves from their enemies. Have you ever wondered how various animals move? Do you think all organisms have special body parts for their movement like humans have legs? Yes, animals have locomotory organs for their movement and locomotion. Gait refers to a pattern of limb actions that an animal uses repetitively during locomotion. Animals crawl, slither, fly, swim, creep or walk to move from one place to another. Fins, legs, wings, etc., are the various locomotive organs in different animals and birds. Let us know more about the gait of animals and their modified organs for the movement in this article in detail.

What is the Gait of Animals?

The pattern of movement of limbs of animals, including humans, during locomotion over a solid substrate or ground, is called Gait of Animals.
(OR)
The different patterns of movement of animals due to the differences in their skeletal structure are called Gait of Animals.

What is Locomotion?: Locomotion is the ability of an organism to move from one place to another without the presence of an external force is called locomotion. Walking, running, jumping, etc., are a few examples of locomotion.

Different Types of Gaits in Animals

What is the Gait of Earthworm?

1. The earthworm does not consist of any internal skeleton or bones, but it has muscles.
2. The earthworm body is formed by the assembly of the ring-like body segments joined in an end-to-end manner, and muscles attached to these rings help to the extent and shorten the body.
3. The skin of earthworms also has many tiny bristles that help it act a good grip on the ground.
4. During movement, the front part of the body is first extended, and the rear portion is kept fixed to the ground. Then the front part is fixed, the rear part is released, and the body is shortened to pull it forward.
5. Each segment on the body moves in and out to grip the ground as they stretch and contract the muscles to push earthworms forward and backwards.
6. Earthworm body secrets a slimy substance to help the movement.

What is the Gait of Snail?

1. The snail has an outer, rounded hard shell which is known as the external skeleton or exoskeleton made up of calcium carbonate.
2. The shell protects the snail from heat and enemies.
3. The thick, muscular structure at the bottom of the body is called the foot that helps the snail in its movement.
4. The foot is coated with a layer of mucus that helps the snail to slither.
5. The muscular foot also pushes the body forward by generating wave-like movements.

Fig: Snail

The Gait of Cockroach

1. A Cockroach’s body is mainly divided into three segments – head, thorax and abdomen.
2. They have three pairs of legs that help in walking and two pairs of wings attached to the breast for flying.
3. The body is enclosed with a hard outer skeleton that is made of different units or plates joined together. It allows movement.
4. The body muscles move the wings when the cockroach flies. Also, the limb muscles help in the movement of the legs.

Fig: Cockroach

The Gait of Birds

1. Birds have unique skeletal and muscular structures that help them fly in the air and walk on the ground with the help of their legs.
2. Some birds like ducks and swans can also swim in the water.
3. The forelimbs are modified to become wings, and the bones inside are hollow that makes the body light and suitable for flying.
4. The hind limbs are used for perching and walking.
5. The pectorals or breast bones are modified to hold muscles of flight which are used to move the wings up and down.

Fig: Bird

The Gait of Fish

1. Fishes consist of a streamlined body that helps them to swim with the least resistance.
2. Fish is a vertebrate, and the endoskeleton supports the body as well as help in movement.
3. Fish use tail fins for generating small jerks or propulsions that aid in movement in the water. The rest of the fins assist in maintaining balance.
4. The tail fin or caudal fin also helps the fishes to steer in water.
5. The skeleton of fish is supported by strong muscles.
6. As fish swim in the water, muscles at the upper part of the body allow the body to curve at a particular side, and the lower part oscillates in the opposite direction. Then the fish quickly reverses this movement hence, forming a curvy motion in the water. It results in a push and jerk, making it move ahead, which is aided by the fins of the tail.
7. The movement of fish in the water is also supported by an air bladder filled with air. It helps the fish body to rise or dive deep into the water.

Fig: Fish

The Gait of Snakes

1. Snakes are vertebrates with the vertebral column.
2. A snake has a long backbone that runs continuously from head to tail. A snake backbone is made up of many vertebrae attached to ribs.
3. Snakes move in a loop-like, zig-zag manner. They cannot move in a straight line.
4. Snakes have a long backbone and many interconnected muscles that help them to slither.
5. Snakes have muscles connecting the backbone or spine, ribs and skin.
6. Snakes use serpentine motion to move.

Fig: Snake

Summary

Animals move from one place to another by using various body parts. Some modes of locomotion are initially self-propelled. For example: crawling, swimming, flying, hopping, etc. A various number of organisms move around using their arms, legs, wings, fins, and muscular feet are locomoted by muscles.

The muscles are attached to either the internal skeleton or the outer skeleton. The snail movement is called slithering movement. The snakes move in a serpentine motion. Gaits are mainly classified as symmetrical and asymmetrical placed on limb movement. The modification of gaits is also based on speed, terrain, energetic efficiency, etc.

FAQs

Q.1. What is the movement of a snake called?
Ans: Snakes use serpentine motion to move. They pull their body into bends and then straighten them out, propelling the animal forward.

Q.2. What are the movements of animals?
Ans: Animals use their various body parts to move from one place to another. Some modes of locomotion are initially self-propelled. For example: running, swimming, jumping, flying, hopping, soaring and gliding.

Q.3. What is the movement of snail called?
Ans: The movement of a snail is called slithering. The thick structure at the bottom called the foot is made up of solid muscles that help the snail in its movement. Propel by moving on a layer of mucus through muscle contraction of the foot. The foot is a muscular organ coated with a layer of mucous.

Q.4. What body parts do animals use to move?
Ans: A various number of organisms move around using their arms, legs, wings, fins muscular feet, etc. The muscles are attached to either the internal skeleton or the outer skeleton.

Q.5. Which is a faster snail or earthworm?
Ans: Earthworm is faster than a snail.

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