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Snakes use scales to slither

Nature (2009)Cite this article

Mathematical model suggests 'sideways' friction is key.

Snakes rely on the frictional properties of their scales to slither, a new study suggests. The work could explain how snakes move across bare terrain such as sand and roads, where they can't push off rocks and branches.

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References

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Authors
  1. Roberta Kwok
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David Hu

Bruce Jayne

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Kwok, R. Snakes use scales to slither. Nature (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/news.2009.555

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/news.2009.555

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