Examples of snake-like animals include the American eel, Asian hopping earthworm, Asian swamp eel, California legless skink, and eastern glass skink.
Lizards, snakes and amphibians are legless reptiles.
Even though they look similar, there are several main ways to tell these creatures apart.
For one thing, lizards tend to have external ear openings, snakes don’t.
In addition, lizards have eyelids that can blink, while snake eyes are protected by clear scales called brille.
Snakes are also limbless, while lizards and amphibians have at least rudimentary legs.
Amphibians have a tongue that is split like a snake’s, while that of lizards is forked.
Examples of Animals Like Snakes
Examples of Animals Like Snakes
Scientific NameArchispirostreptus gigasType of AnimalInsectRangeRange forest of subtropical west Africa
The African giant black millipede is the world’s largest millipede, growing up to 38 cm (15 in) in length.
It is a glossy black color with red markings on its body.
It is non-venomous and does not bite, but can secrete a noxious liquid from its body that smells like cyanide.
Millipedes are often compared to snakes because of their long and segmented bodies.
Scientific NameAnguilla rostrata SpeciesFishRangeVenezuela to Greenland and Iceland along the Atlantic coastline
The American eel is a long, thin creature with a snake-like body.
They can grow up to four feet in length, and their skin is covered in a slimy mucus.
This fish is often confused with a snake, but there are several main ways to tell them apart.
For one thing, eels have gills, snakes don’t.
In addition, eels have pectoral fins, while snakes have no limbs at all.
This creature is found in East Asia and can grow up to 40 cm in length.
It has a segmented reddish-brown body and no legs.
Its head is shaped like a cone and has two small black eyes.
4. Asian Swamp Eel
4. Asian Swamp Eel
Scientific NameMonopterus albusType of AnimalFishRange to Asia.
It is also found in Central and South America, Africa, and Australia
Although its long and slender body resembles that of a snake, the Asian swamp eel is actually a fish.
They can be over three feet long and are often sold in the pet trade.
Like other eels, it has a dorsal fin that runs the length of its body.
However, unlike other eels, the Asian swamp eel lacks pectoral and pelvic fins.
Scientific NameGymnophionaTypes of AnimalsInsectsSpanning tropical and neotropical regions throughout the world, from Central and South America to Central Africa and Southeast Asia
Often mistaken for snakes, caecilians are actually amphibians.
They have long, cylindrical bodies and are legless, but they differ from snakes in a number of ways.
Caecilians have poor eyesight and no external ear openings.
6. California Legless Lizard
6. California Legless Lizard
The California legless lizard is a kind of snake-like reptile.
Often mistaken for a snake because it has no legs and has a long and slender body.
However, the California legless lizard can be distinguished from a snake by the external ear openings and eyelids.
In addition, this reptile has a forked tongue, unlike snakes.
Scientific nameCrocodylidaeType of animalReptileRange of the tropics of Africa, Asia, Australia and America
Crocodiles are large reptiles that live in bodies of water such as lakes, rivers and swamps.
They have a long, narrow snout and thick, scaly skin.
Crocodiles are predators that hunt fish, birds and other animals.
Although crocodiles do not resemble snakes, they are part of the reptile family.
8. Eastern Glass Lizard
8. Eastern Glass Lizard
Scientific Name Ophisaurus ventralis Reptile Animal Range throughout southern and eastern Georgia and South Carolina
The Eastern glass lizard is a type of legless lizard.
It gets its name from the fact that, if threatened, it will drop its tail to escape.
The broken tail will then wriggle, distracting predators as the lizard flees.
Despite the lack of legs, the glass lizard is an excellent climber and is often found in trees.
9. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar
9. Eastern Tiger Swallowtail Caterpillar
Scientific NamePapilio glaucusType of AnimalInsectRangeAlabama, Delaware, Georgia, and South Carolina
The eastern tiger swallowtail caterpillar is very similar to a snake.
Scientific NameDeilephila elpenorTypes of AnimalsInsectsRangeParks and gardens, as well as forest edges, rough meadows, and sand dunes
The elephant hawk-moth caterpillar looks like a small snake with a long, slender body and green, brown, and pink colors.
Scientific NameAnguilla anguillaType of AnimalFishSpread from the northern part of Russia and Finland to the coast of Morocco, Egypt, and even in the Black Sea
The European eel is a snake-like fish that can grow up to four feet in length.
Scientific NameHebomoia glaucippeTypes of InsectsRange widely in southern and southeastern Asia, as well as in southern China and southern Japan
In contrast, caterpillars look like small snakes with orange and black stripes on their bodies.
Scientific NameGymnothorax funebrisType of AnimalFishSpread in the western Atlantic Ocean, from New Jersey to Bermuda, and the Gulf of Mexico north to south to Brazil
The green moray eel is a large eel that can grow up to 8 feet long.
The green moray is olive green with black spots and has a large head with sharp teeth.
Island Glass Lizard
Island Glass Lizard
Scientific NameOphisaurus compressusType of ReptileRange along the coast of South Carolina on the coast and south of Georgia
The island glass lizard is a type of legless lizard native to the southeastern United States.
This lizard got its name from its translucent skin, which is translucent in some places.
Glass lizards are often confused with snakes, but there are several ways to tell them apart.
For one thing, glass lizards have eyelids, snakes don’t.
In addition, while glass lizards have ear openings, snakes do not.
Scientific NameAnguilla japonicaType of AnimalFishRange of Japan, Korea, China and Vietnam, as well as the northern Philippines
Japanese eel is a snake-like fish that can grow up to four feet long.
It has a long, slender body and a small mouth with sharp teeth.
Mimic Glass Lizard
Mimic Glass Lizard
Scientific NameOphisaurus mimicusType of ReptileRange along the coast of South Carolina and on the coast and south of Georgia
The mirror-mimicking lizard is a legless lizard that is often mistaken for a snake.
It can be found in the southeastern United States and can grow up to three feet in length.
This lizard got its name from its ability to drop its tail when caught by a predator.
The tail will continuously wag, distracting predators as the lizard flees.
Red Helen Swallowtail Caterpillar
Red Helen Swallowtail Caterpillar
Scientific name Papilio helenus Type of animal Insect Forest Range of southern India and parts of Southeast Asia
Helen Swallowtail’s red caterpillar looks like a miniature snake.
It is black with orange and white stripes along its body.
Scientific NameAnguilla australis SpeciesFishRange New Zealand, Australia and throughout the South Pacific
The short-finned eel is a snake-like fish that can be found in the Indo-Pacific region.
It can be about 3 feet long and has a dark brown or black body with small white spots.
Slender Glass Lizard
Slender Glass Lizard
Scientific NameOphisaurus attenuatusReptile speciesRange throughout Georgia and South Carolina
The Slender Glass Lizard was a kind of legless lizard.
The new tail will eventually grow back.
The Slender Glass Lizard is found in the southeastern United States.
They can reach about 2.5 feet in length.
The Slender Glass Lizard’s skin is smooth and shiny, and is usually brown or tan in color.
Scientific NameAnguis fragilisTypes of AnimalsInsectsRange of meadows, tussocky meadows, forest edges and rides
Slowworms are legless lizards found in Europe and parts of Asia.
It can grow up to 20 inches in length and is often mistaken for a snake.
One of the main ways to tell the difference between slow worms and snakes is that slow worms have eyelids, whereas snakes do not.
Scientific Name Papilio troilus Species Insect Range throughout the eastern United States from southern Canada south to southern Florida (except the Miami and Keys counties) and west to Texas
The spicebush swallow caterpillar looks very much like a snake.
It even has a fake eye spot on its rear end that makes it look like the head of a snake, complete with its forked tongue.
Scientific NamesReptile Species StudyReptiles Worldwide Range
Although turtle heads may look like snakes, they are actually reptiles with hard shells.
Unlike snakes, turtles cannot coil their bodies and have limbs.
Scientific Name Chalcides striatus Species Reptiles Range Iberian Peninsula, southern France and parts of northwestern Italy
The western three-toed lizard is a small lizard found in the western United States and parts of Canada.
These lizards are brown or gray with dark stripes on the body.
It is about 4-5 inches long and is often mistaken for a snake.
One of the most prominent features of the western three-toed skink is its tail.
This lizard can shed its tail when threatened and will grow back over time.
Although there are many creatures that resemble snakes, they are actually very different.
Snakes are reptiles, while eels and caecilians are amphibians.
In addition, snakes do not have eyelids and external ear openings.
Blind snakes are perhaps the most snake-like creatures, but they can be distinguished by their small size and lack of eyes.
Living in South Africa, I love seeing most of these animals up close and personal.