Introduction
Gait can be referred to as the movement pattern of the limbs of an animal, including humans as well. All animals have different types of gaits which can differ on the basis of speed, terrain or natural efficiency. The gaits of animals could be crawling, flying, walking or swimming. Earthworms alternately extend and contract their bodies in order to move. Cockroaches use three pairs of legs and two pairs of wings to fly. Birds fly when they flap their wings. Fishes form loops alternately on the sides of their bodies in order to swim. Snakes move with a large number of bones associated with muscles. Snails have muscular feet which help them to move. Let us discuss the gaits of different animals in detail.
Earthworm
The bodies of earthworms are made of rings that are joined from end to end. Earthworms do not have bones. Earthworms have muscles that help them to extend and contract their bodies. An earthworm while moving extends its front part of the body while keeping the rear portion fixed. Then it fixes the front part and releases the rear part. The earthworm then contracts its body and pulls the rear end towards the front. By repeating these movements of contraction and expansion, the earthworm moves. Earthworms generally move in soil.
Cockroach
A cockroach can fly, walk and climb. Cockroaches have three pairs of legs which help them in walking. The body of a cockroach is covered with a hard outer skeleton. On the breasts of cockroaches, two pairs of wings are attached which help them in flying. A cockroach has distinct muscles, the ones near the legs of the cockroach help them to walk and the ones in the breasts help with the movement of the wings. Cockroaches can move in different terrains like sand or wired meshes.
Bird
A bird can fly in the air as well as walk on the ground. There are some birds that can swim as well such as a duck or a swan. The bones of birds are hollow and light and they do not have a urinary bladder which makes flying easier for them. The bones of the hind limbs of birds help them to walk. The shoulder bones of birds are strong and then forelimbs are modified as wings which help them to fly. The breast bones of birds help them to move their wings and the direction of flight is controlled by the tail.
Fish
Fishes have a streamlined body structure which helps them to flow faster and easily in water. While swimming, the front part of the fish curves to one side and the tail part curves to the other side which helps them to push their bodies forward. The fins help them to swim and the tail helps them to swim in the right direction. To maintain the balance of the body and direction correct, there are other fins on the body of fishes.
Snake
Snakes have thin muscles and a very long backbone. The backbone, ribs and skin are interconnected with the help of muscles. A snake moves in a zig-zag manner or an S-shaped loop. Since there are many loops, each loop gives the body a forward push, which helps the snakes to move faster. Snakes move faster on grass or sand as compared to smooth surfaces.
Snail
Snails have a hard outer-rounded structure which is known as the shell. A thick structure comes out from the opening of the shell which is known as the foot and is made of very strong muscles. The foot is lubricated from beneath with mucus, which helps it to move smoothly. The snail moves with the help of waves of muscular contraction.
FAQs on Gait of Animals
1. What is meant by the 'gait of an animal'?
The gait of an animal refers to the specific pattern of limb movements that an animal uses to move from one place to another. This pattern can change based on the animal's speed, the surface it is on, or its natural efficiency. Common types of movement patterns include walking, crawling, swimming, and flying, each adapted to the animal's body and environment.
2. How does an earthworm move without having any bones?
An earthworm moves using a process of contraction and expansion of its body muscles. Its body is made of many rings joined together. To move, it first extends the front part of its body by making it long and thin, while keeping the rear part fixed to the ground. Then, it fixes the front end and pulls the rear end forward by shortening its body. It repeats this muscular action to crawl through the soil.
3. What different body parts does a cockroach use for movement?
A cockroach is capable of multiple types of movement using different body parts. It uses its three pairs of jointed legs to walk and climb across various terrains. For flight, it uses two pairs of wings attached to its breast. Distinct sets of powerful muscles control these actions—muscles near the legs power walking, while strong breast muscles move the wings for flight.
4. How are birds uniquely adapted for flying?
Birds have several special adaptations that make flying possible and efficient:
- Hollow and Light Bones: Their bones are not solid, which significantly reduces their overall body weight, making it easier to lift off the ground.
- Modified Forelimbs: Their front limbs are modified into wings, which provide the surface area needed to generate lift.
- Strong Shoulder and Breast Bones: These bones anchor powerful flight muscles that flap the wings with great force.
- Streamlined Body Shape: Their body shape helps to reduce air resistance, allowing them to move through the air smoothly.
5. How does a fish's streamlined body help it swim?
A fish's streamlined body, which is pointed at the front and back and wider in the middle, is crucial for swimming as it reduces water resistance, or drag. This shape allows water to flow easily over its body, enabling the fish to move forward with less effort. The fish propels itself by forming loops with its body and tail, pushing against the water. Its fins help it to steer and maintain balance.
6. Does a snail's shell help it to move?
No, a snail's shell does not help it move. The shell is an outer skeleton carried by the snail for protection from predators and dry conditions. Movement is achieved by its large, muscular foot. The snail secretes a layer of mucus, which acts as a lubricant to reduce friction, allowing the foot to glide over surfaces through waves of muscular contraction.
7. How is the movement of a snake different from that of an earthworm?
While both snakes and earthworms lack legs, their movements are very different. An earthworm moves by contracting and expanding its body segments in a straight line. A snake, however, moves by forming multiple S-shaped loops with its long, flexible backbone and interconnected muscles. Each loop pushes against the ground, giving the snake a powerful and rapid forward thrust, allowing it to move much faster than an earthworm.
8. Why is animal movement essential for survival?
Animal movement, or locomotion, is essential for survival for several key reasons. Animals must move to:
- Find food and water.
- Escape from predators and other dangers.
- Find a mate for reproduction.
- Locate suitable shelter or a better habitat.
- Migrate to areas with more favourable climates for breeding or feeding.
