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Kitimu says: "Snakes have NO legs — but they can climb trees, swim rivers, and even cross sand dunes! How do they do it? They use FOUR different types of movement. Today you're going to try all four yourself and race your friends. This is going to be hilarious — let's go, Cub!"
🎒 What You Need
Open grassy area
A friend or family member
Markers for start and finish
Timer or stopwatch
📋 How To Do It
Serpentine (lateral undulation): Lie on your belly and wiggle your whole body in S-shaped curves, pushing off the ground with your sides — just like a snake moving through grass. This is the most common snake movement. Race a friend using this method!
Concertina: Lie on your belly. Bunch your body up like an accordion (pull your knees to your chest), then stretch forward as far as you can and grip the ground. Pull your body up again and repeat. This is how snakes climb trees and move through tunnels.
Sidewinding: Lie on your side and move diagonally by lifting sections of your body and throwing them sideways. Only parts of your body touch the ground at a time. This is how desert snakes (like the sidewinder) cross hot sand without burning!
Rectilinear: Lie flat on your belly and move in a completely straight line — no wiggling! Use your stomach muscles to inch forward like a caterpillar. This is the slowest method, used by heavy snakes like pythons when stalking prey.
The Grand Race: Set up a 5-metre course. Race each other using each movement type. Time each race and record which method was fastest and which was slowest. Compare your results — does it match what real snakes experience?
Ranger Tip: The serpentine method is fastest because the snake pushes off rocks, sticks, and bumps in the ground — like a swimmer pushing off the wall of a pool. A black mamba using serpentine movement can reach speeds of up to 20 km/h!
Safety note: This activity is about imitating snake movement — never approach, touch, or disturb a real snake. If you ever see a snake outdoors, stand still, back away slowly, and tell an adult immediately. Snakes are far more scared of you than you are of them!
📸
Get someone to film your snake movement race and share the video in the Junior Rangers WhatsApp group!