ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Fin and flipper locomotion

Fin and flipper locomotion are the ways animals move through water. Think of it like swimming, but instead of using arms and legs like people do, animals use fins or flippers to move around.

Fins are like the arms and legs of fish. They are long, flat, and flexible, and they help fish move through water. Fins are used to control the direction of the fish, and they also give the fish propulsion, which means they can move forward. Fins can be found on the sides of fish, on their backs, or on their bellies.

Flipper locomotion is used by animals like dolphins, whales, and seals. They have flippers instead of fins, which are like big, flat hands. Flippers help these animals move through water by pushing it away from them. This causes them to move in the opposite direction, which propels them forward. Flippers can also be used to steer, change direction, and even slow down.

Both fins and flippers help animals move through water, but they are used in slightly different ways. Fins are better for navigating tight spaces and making quick turns, while flippers are better for long-distance swimming and powerful movements.
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