Biology
The Mechanics of Drag-Based Swimming in Sea Snakes
Quick fact
Sea snakes are so well adapted to water that they have evolved paddle-like tails, and their laterally compressed bodies act like a paddle, generating thrust by pushing water backward—a mechanism known as drag-based swimming.
Why this is interesting
Picture a snake gliding through the ocean—its body waves from side to side, but it doesn't use fins or flippers. How does it manage to move forward so effectively?