The Effects of Surface Feature Geometry on the Propulsive Locomotion of Tree-climbing Snakes Restricted; Files & ToC

Abstract

Being limbless, snakes face unique challenges when climbing trees, sometimes resorting to wrapping their bodies around the trunk to pull themselves up. However, corn snakes exhibit an alternative climbing technique that allows them to zig-zag up and down trees without wrapping. We model a large tree using a flat, vertical wall that utilizes a single vertical column of 22 force-sensitive pegs to record horizontal and vertical propulsive-force measurements as the snakes ascend or descend. On the wall, there are two types of 3 mm long pegs: the "normal" cylindrical pegs and the "tapered" pegs, which have a narrower tip, making them more difficult to grip onto. This study focuses on the force output over the body of the snakes through the combination of 3D-kinematic tracking data as well as time-resolved force data. Our findings reveal that the geometry of the pegs affects the snake's climbing ability differently when ascending versus descending. Given the probable challenges of upward climbing, the snakes were forced to utilize the tapered pegs. In these scenarios, we observed significant lateral forces exerted on the pegs, including the tapered ones, suggesting considerable effort exerted by the snakes to stabilize on the wall. On downward climbs, we observe reduced lateral forces in general, where the snakes are sometimes able to skip the tapered pegs altogether. This can indicate that downward climbs are less difficult and require less stabilizing forces. Future work will investigate how different snake species manage similar scenarios with different surface geometry.

Table of Contents

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About this Honors Thesis

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School	Emory College
Department	Physics
Degree	B.S.
Submission	Honors Thesis
Language	English
Research Field	Biophysics, Biomechanics
Parola chiave	Snake Climbing Surface Geometry Locomotion
Committee Chair / Thesis Advisor	Rieser, Jennifer, Emory University
Committee Members	Brody, Jed, Emory University Roth, Conni, Emory University

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