What are some good techniques and tricks for natural AI path navigation?

This is quite a broad question. And not specifically about how make nav agents move on a navmesh. That's simple enough.

How would you approach very advanced and realistic animal movement with traditional navmesh systems like A* ?

Do you dampen the turn rate of the agent? How do you avoid situations where it can't navigate tight spaces?
Is there some good principles for having something move in wavey patterns but also turn as much as is needed?

Would you opt for a fully RootMotion pipeline?

I have so many questions since looking into this seriously.

If anyone can point me to some good reading resources I'd greatly appreciate it!