Summary
Swimming, walking, flying and burrowing involve specialised skeletons and muscles.
In depth
Swimming (fins, undulation, jet propulsion), walking, running, hopping, crawling and flying. Costs: swimming is cheapest per distance, running most expensive. Muscles work in antagonistic pairs against skeletons.
Locomotion needs force against a medium. Efficiency varies with size. Energy cost is measured as cost of transport.
Remember: swimming, flying and running each have physical constraints.
Moving animals must overcome friction, drag and gravity. In water, streamlined bodies reduce drag, and swimming is relatively efficient because buoyancy supports weight. Fish use body and tail undulation, with tuna reaching around 70 km/h in bursts; squid use jet propulsion. On land, legs and muscular systems must support weight, and running is costly. Flight is the most expensive per unit time but efficient per distance.
Gait changes with speed (walk, trot, gallop), and elastic storage in tendons saves energy. Cost of transport is lowest for swimmers, then fliers, then runners. Specialisations include burrowing, climbing (geckos use van der Waals forces) and gliding (flying squirrels). Muscles and skeletons work as lever systems.
Key idea: locomotion mode shapes anatomy, energy budgets and ecology.
Frequently asked questions
What is Animal Locomotion?
Swimming, walking, flying and burrowing involve specialised skeletons and muscles.
Which area of biology covers Animal Locomotion, and how advanced is it?
Animal Locomotion is one of the 53 topics in Zoology & Animal Diversity. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Biomechanics of Locomotion, Bird Flight Adaptations, Metabolic Scaling.
Can you give an example of Animal Locomotion?
Cheetahs reach about 100 km per hour in short sprints.
What should I learn before Animal Locomotion?
Work through the Beginner topics in Zoology & Animal Diversity first, such as Animal Kingdom, Vertebrates and Invertebrates, Sponges, then return to Animal Locomotion. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
What topics are related to Animal Locomotion?
The closest topics to Animal Locomotion are Biomechanics of Locomotion, Bird Flight Adaptations, Metabolic Scaling, Hibernation and Torpor. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Animal Locomotion?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Animal Locomotion. To practise the whole of Zoology & Animal Diversity, use the Zoology & Animal Diversity quiz.
How is Animal Locomotion different from Biomechanics of Locomotion?
Animal Locomotion: Swimming, walking, flying and burrowing involve specialised skeletons and muscles. Biomechanics of Locomotion: Applies physics to explain gait, muscle efficiency and fluid dynamics of swimming and flying. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Animal Locomotion step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Biomechanics of Locomotion and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Zoology & Animal Diversity quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.