Since the South Bend snakes do not have limbs, you are probably wondering if they can climb trees. In order to scale vertical surfaces, the snakes will have to be creative. According to the latest research, the snakes can use their scales and their unique body movement to climb trees. This allows them to push upward and reach the higher section of the trees. Since they can only use their scales and muscles to grip on surfaces, the snake will have to maintain the necessary force that will help propel them.



How South Bend Snakes Will Climb on Trees
According to the experts, the snakes will have to exert effort that will prevent them from slipping and at the same time will help them move upwards. Most people are aware that the snakes can climb trees, but they are unaware on how they can achieve this. Even experts remain unfamiliar on the amount of energy and force that they need to climb the trees. Snakes are climbing trees to remain safe. Their safety will be more essential to them than conserving their energy.

Concertina Locomotion
The snakes are using a type of movement referred to as concertina locomotion when climbing the trees. Their muscles and their snakes will help them get a grip while pushing their body to the direction that they want to go. This is a very irregular movement and will conserve a high amount of energy. Therefore, it will take longer for the snakes to climb the trees compared to moving in the ground. The scale of the snakes plays a crucial role in executing this movement. When observing the scale of the snakes, you will notice that it is not smooth and will resemble the keel at the base of the boat. As opposed to the smooth scales, the keeled scale comes with ridges at the center. This helps them get a grip on the rough surfaces of the trees. Just like the tire on our cars, the tire with a better tread grip will have better traction than the smooth tire.

Snakes Cannot Climb Smooth Surfaces
Basing it on the concept of the concertina locomotion, the snakes will not have the capacity to move vertically on smooth surfaces. The snake will need something to hold that will allow them to rest. The rough surface will also help them push upward. By working in unison, the keeled scale and the muscle of the snake can help the snake in inching vertically on trees. Nonetheless, this movement will not guarantee that the animal will be able to reach the top. There are instances when the animal will fell down the trees when they are attempting to climb. It was also discovered that some snake has the capacity to shift the angle of their scale to dig and grip on rough surface of the tree. By doing this, the amount of friction will be twice as greater that will help the snake to rest on trees for an extended period.

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