Animal locomotion
Videos
In ethology, animal locomotion is any of a variety of methods that animals use to move from one place to another. Some modes of locomotion are self-propelled, e.g., running, swimming, jumping, flying,
Dolphins surfing
Velella moves by sailing.
A pair of brimstone butterflies in flight. The female, above, is in fast forward flight with a small angle of attack; the male, below, is twisting his wings sharply upward to gain lift and fly up towards the female.
Australian Emperor dragonfly (Insecta)
Aquatic locomotion
Videos
Aquatic locomotion or swimming is biologically propelled motion through a liquid medium. Swimming by different mechanisms has evolved repeatedly in organisms including arthropods, fish, molluscs, amph
A great cormorant swimming
Octopuses swim headfirst, with arms trailing behind.
Jellyfish contract muscles in the jellylike bell to propel themselves. The elastic recoil creates a second (stop) vortex, adding efficiency.
Scallops swim by opening the gape of their two shells and clapping them closed.