How Snakes Move

Lateral undulation (serpentine)

The most familiar method: the body forms S-shaped waves and pushes against rocks, plants and bumps in the ground. Also used for swimming.

Concertina

Used in tunnels or for climbing. The snake anchors part of its body, extends the front forward, then pulls the rear up, like an accordion.

Rectilinear

A slow, straight-line 'caterpillar' crawl. Belly scales are lifted and pulled forward in waves. Common in heavy-bodied snakes like large vipers and pythons.

Sidewinding

On loose sand, some vipers lift sections of their body and move diagonally, leaving J-shaped tracks while touching only a little ground at once.

Specialists

Some tree snakes in Southeast Asia (genus Chrysopelea) flatten their bodies and glide between trees.

Sea snakes have paddle-shaped tails for swimming.