What is the term for locomotion accomplished by swinging from one hold to another?

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The term that refers to locomotion accomplished by swinging from one hold to another is brachiating. This mode of movement is characteristic of some primates, particularly those that live in trees, such as gibbons and spider monkeys. Brachiation involves using the arms to grasp branches and propel the body forward through a series of swinging motions. It is an efficient way to navigate arboreal environments where the animal can cover significant distances between branches while minimizing energy expenditure.

While the other terms include forms of locomotion, they do not accurately describe the swinging motion specific to brachiating. Bipedal walking refers to moving on two legs, sliding implies a movement along a surface without lifting off, and clambering denotes climbing awkwardly or using limbs to scramble, which does not specifically involve the characteristic swinging motion that defines brachiation.

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