The Ecological Design of Slender, Limbless Animals

• This project investigates the ecological and mechanical design of long, limbless animals based on the cost of transport and efficiency optimization of undulatory locomotion.
• Frictional environments favour stiffer bodies as compared to viscous environments.
• Both environments favour lower angular frequency and optimizing mass.
• Higher angular amplitude in frictional environments as compared to viscous environments.
• Highlights the complex relationship between body structure, environmental resistance, and movement patterns.
• Inform design principles for bio-inspired robotics and the understanding of ecological adaptations.
• For more details, please refer to the article.