The Principles of Animal Locomotion

The principles of animal locomotion involve how animals move efficiently and effectively through their environments. They rely on biomechanics, which means understanding how muscles, bones, and joints work together to generate movement. Key concepts include balance, speed, and energy conservation. Animals adapt their gait—such as walking, running, or flying—based on speed and terrain, often using specialized body parts like wings or fins. These principles also include the role of gravity, leverage, and muscle coordination to optimize movement, allowing animals to travel, hunt, escape predators, and migrate successfully across diverse habitats.