thigmotaxis
/ˌθɪɡməˈtæksɪs/
noun
- The movement of an organism in response to physical contact with a solid surface or object.
- The plant's roots showed thigmotaxis by growing toward the side of the pot.
- Thigmotaxis helps certain insects find shelter by moving along walls.
- Scientists studied thigmotaxis in cockroaches to understand their escape behavior.