Animal signs are usually based on the —— of the animal

Using American Sign Language (ASL), different hand movements are used for specific animals. Signs are typically based on what the animal looks like (called physical characteristics) . For example, the sign for lion involves taking your hand with fingers spread and pulling them from the forehead over the top of your head (see the first image below). Sometimes signs can represent the movement of the animal as well. Can you guess what animal is being signed in the second image below? The hand is moving back and forth as if traveling through the water. This is the sign for "fish"!