Desert Snake Outmaneuvers Lizard When Swimming Through Sand (VIDEO)

When it comes to "swimming" through sand, snakes may come out on top. Scientists have examined snakes and lizards and have found that when it comes to tackling desert sand, snakes are better adapted.

In this latest study, the scientists examined the shovel-nosed snake, a native of the Mojave Desert in the southwest United States. The researchers also looked at the sandfish lizard, which is native to the Sahara Desert of northern Africa. By using X-ray technology, the researchers watched each animal move through a bed of sand and studied the waves propagating down the bodies of both the snake and lizard.

"We were curious about how this snake moved, and once we observed its movement, how it moved so well in the sand," said Dan Goldman, one of the researchers, in a news release. "Our model reveals how both the snake and the sandfish move as fast as their body shapes permit while using the least amount of energy. We found that the snake's elongated shape allowed it to beat the sandfish in both speed and energy efficiency."

The snake moves by propagating traveling waves down its body, from head to tail. This creates a body curvature and a number of waves along its body that enhance its movement through the sand.

The findings could be useful for designing robots that can tackle the tough terrain of sand. By studying how biological organisms function, researchers can then apply these findings to practical applications.

"This research is really about how body shape and form affect movement efficiency, and how we can go between experiment and theory to improve our understanding of these issues," said Goldman. "What we are learning could help search and rescue robots maneuver in complex terrain and avoid obstacles."

The findings are published in the Journal of Experimental Biology.

Want to learn more? Check out the video below, courtesy of YouTube.

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