蛇用于滑行的物理機制一直是激烈爭論的主題,。此前的分析假定蛇推動巖石和樹木從而把它們推向前方,。
David Hu及其同事審視了蛇如何運動，并提出蛇的皮膚導致的摩擦力在它把自己從平面上向前推進的能力中起了關鍵作用,。蛇利用許多技巧運動,。Hu的研究組把注意力放在了“橫向起伏”，即蛇用它的腹部橫向壓迫一個物體,，從而把它推向前方,。為了檢驗他們的這個假說，這組作者利用了10條幼年的pueblan奶蛇,，并測試了當這些蛇的腹部鱗片被類似厚度和粗糙度的布覆蓋之后,、以及當它們的鱗片被更光滑的纖維板覆蓋之后它們的滑行能力。
這組作者證明了腹部鱗片執(zhí)行了關鍵的功能：它們掛住粗糙表面的不規(guī)則處,，這幫助蛇橫向滑行,。這些發(fā)現(xiàn)提供了無肢運動的基礎，這可能導致開發(fā)出類似于蛇的機器人機體,，能夠在沙地（它缺乏明顯的推動點）等平面上滑行,。（生物谷Bioon.com）
生物谷推薦原始出處：
PNAS June 8, 2009, doi: 10.1073/pnas.0812533106
The mechanics of slithering locomotion
David L. Hua,b,1, Jasmine Nirodya, Terri Scotta and Michael J. Shelleya
aApplied Mathematics Laboratory, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, New York, NY 10003; and
bDepartments of Mechanical Engineering and Biology, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332
Abstract
In this experimental and theoretical study, we investigate the slithering of snakes on flat surfaces. Previous studies of slithering have rested on the assumption that snakes slither by pushing laterally against rocks and branches. In this study, we develop a theoretical model for slithering locomotion by observing snake motion kinematics and experimentally measuring the friction coefficients of snakeskin. Our predictions of body speed show good agreement with observations, demonstrating that snake propulsion on flat ground, and possibly in general, relies critically on the frictional anisotropy of their scales. We have also highlighted the importance of weight distribution in lateral undulation, previously difficult to visualize and hence assumed uniform. The ability to redistribute weight, clearly of importance when appendages are airborne in limbed locomotion, has a much broader generality, as shown by its role in improving limbless locomotion.
