[Biology Class Notes] on Gait of Animals Pdf for EXAM

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.