Grasshopper Locomotion

A (Very) Short Presentation

 Grasshopper Muscles
• Grasshopper muscles are attached to
the exoskeleton of the grasshopper,
like ours are attached to our
endoskeleton (bones)
 Grasshopper Legs
• Grasshoppers have 3 pairs of legs
• 3 are used for body support during
walking
• Other 3 are used for moving forward
• Rear legs are bigger for jumping
 How Grasshoppers Jump
• Grasshoppers have flexor and
extensor muscles
• Before jumping, flexor muscles are
contracted and extensor muscles are
relaxed, legs are fully flexed
• During jump, flexor muscles relax
and extensor contracts suddenly,
causing legs to straighten
 Similar Example
• Try this: flex your arm so that your
hand is close to your shoulder
• While arm is flexed, place palm of
hand on a wall
• Push the wall with your hand,
extending your arm
• Feel the push backwards? That is
how a grasshopper jumps.
FIN = END = HABIS
Stop reading this, you.