Locomotion in Animals

The manner of movement of n animal body for locomotion, is called the gait of animal. Animals use different body parts for locomotion. Segmented body rings, muscular foot in the snail, forelimbs of bird, fish fins, etc., are some of the body organs that help in locomotion. In this concept, the students will understand different types of locomotion in animals.

After reading the concept, students will be able to:

• Understand the features of the human skeletal system.
• Answer why do animals move from one place to another.
• Compare the locomotion in earthworms and that in cockroaches.
• Categorise the animals that show muscular expansion and contraction for locomotion.
• Describe the movements in cockroaches.
• Differentiate between locomotion in fish and birds.

 

Each concept is explained to class 5 students using descriptions, illustrations, and concept maps. After you go through a concept, assess your learning by solving the two printable worksheets given at the end of the page.

Download the worksheets and check your answers with the worksheet solutions for the concept Gait of Animals and Organs Used for Locomotion provided in PDF format.

 

What is Locomotion?

Locomotion is defined as the ability of an organism to move from one place to another.

Features of Locomotion:

• The skeletal system in the human body helps in locomotion.

• Different types of bones and muscles take part in the locomotory action.
• The mode of locomotion varies from one animal to another depending on their structural makeup and habitats.

 

Why Do Animal Move From One Place to Another:

• Animals move from one place to another for the following reasons—
1. In search of shelter.
2. In search of food.
3. For reproduction.
4. For escaping from predators.

 

Locomotion in Earthworm:

• Earthworms are invertebrates, and they lack bones. Their body is made of segmented rings.
• Locomotion of earthworms depends on their muscular actions.
• Continuous expansion and contraction of muscles help them move.
• The body of an earthworm secretes a slimy substance that also helps them move and keep their body moist.
• Earthworms possess tiny hair-like structures called bristles under their body that allow them to get a grip on the ground.

 

Locomotion in Snail:

• Snails are invertebrates, and they have a characteristic shell on their back. The shell plays no role in the locomotion of a snail; rather, it has to be dragged along.
• Snails have a thick muscular structure at the base, which is considered their feet.
• The surface below the muscular foot is covered with mucus that helps in locomotion and decreases the body’s risk of injury from sharp objects.
• Snails propel themselves using their muscular feet by generating waves of muscular contractions along the surface.

 

Locomotion in Cockroach:

• Cockroaches are invertebrates having a hard outer skeleton, called exoskeleton, covering their bodies.
• They have a body structure that enables them to walk, climb and fly in the air.
• Cockroaches have three pairs of legs and two pairs of wings attached to their feet.
• There are specific muscles in a cockroach’s body for walking and flying.
• Cockroaches have spines on their legs that help them move in different landscapes.

 

Locomotion in Birds:

• Birds are vertebrates, and their streamlined body makes it easier for them to fly.
• The bones of birds are hollow that make their bodies light.
• Strong muscles attached to the breast bones help in flight.
• Their forelimbs are modified into wings, whereas the hind limb bones are modified to walk and perch.
• Birds have strong shoulder bones, and their tails help control the direction of flight.

 

Locomotion in Fishes:

• Fishes are vertebrates. They are aquatic organisms adapted to live in water.
• Their streamlined body is covered with scales, and this unique body shape help them move in the water.
• The skeleton of fish has strong muscles that contract and relax to make a jerk-like movement.
• A series of these jerk-like movements causes the fish to swim ahead.
• The limbs are modified to form fins that help in swimming.
• The different fins help in keeping the body balance and maintaining directions.
• The tail helps the fish move in the right direction.

 

Locomotion in Snakes:

• Snakes are vertebrates.
• They do not move in a straight line; rather, they move in S-shaped loops in a zigzag manner.
• Snakes slither against the ground with the help of their long backbone and thin muscles attached to it.
• The loop-like movement allows the snake to make a forward push against the surface.

Other Modes of Locomotion:

Some other modes of locomotion seen in animals are—

• Running: Tiger, lion, deer, cheetah.
• Hopping: Rabbit, Hare
• Gliding: Flying squirrel

Adaptations in Animals for Locomotion:

 

 

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