Page 213 - Amphibionics : Build Your Own Biologically Inspired Robot

Amphibionics 06 3/24/03 9:02 AM Page 192
FIGURE 6.1
A crocodile and its
biologically inspired Amphibionics
counterpart.

odile measures 14 inches in length from head to tail, and is 5 inch-
es wide.

Moving the body from one location to another is one of the most
important everyday tasks for animals. They must be able to move
from place to place during the activities necessary for survival.
These activities include thermoregulation, finding food, social
interactions, nesting, and escape from threats. While crocodiles
spend much of the day motionless or moving very little, it is a mis-
take to think that they are not very active. Crocodiles are capable
of moving at surprising speed when required. Crocodiles have
three basic styles of moving on land. These methods of locomotion
are usually referred to as the belly crawl, the high walk, and the
gallop. The belly crawl is very similar in form to the way that a
lizard moves. The legs are splayed out to the sides and the center
of gravity is low. The belly crawl is used on land and very shallow
water. The crocodile uses its front and hind limbs to achieve loco-
motion. The crocodile’s whole body and tail undulates rapidly
from side to side when walking. The belly crawl is probably the

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