Examples of snake-like animals include the American eel, Asian jumping earthworm, Asian swamp eel, California legless lizard, and eastern glass lizard.
Lizards, snakes, and amphisbaenians are legless reptiles.
Although they look similar, there are several important ways to distinguish these creatures.
For one thing, lizards tend to have external ear openings, while snakes do not.
In addition, lizards have eyelids that allow them to blink, while the eyes of snakes are protected by a clear scale called a brille.
Snakes also lack arms, while lizards and amphisbaenians have the least amount of legs.
Amphisbaenians have a forked tongue like snakes, while lizards’ tongues are forked.
Examples of Animals Like Snakes
Examples of Animals Like Snakes
Scientific NameArchispirostreptus gigas Species InsectRangethe rainforests of subtropical western Africa
The giant black African millipede is the largest millipede in the world, growing up to 38 cm (15 in) long.
It is a shiny black color with red markings on its body.
It is non-venomous and does not bite, but it emits a noxious liquid from its body that smells of cyanide.
This millipede is often confused with snakes because of its long, segmented body.
Scientific NameAnguilla rostrataType of AnimalFish RangeVenezuela to Greenland and Iceland along the Atlantic coast
The American eel is a long, thin snake-like creature.
It can grow up to four feet tall, and its skin is covered in sticky mucus.
This fish is often mistaken for a snake, but there are several key ways to identify them.
On the one hand, eels have gills, while snakes do not.
In addition, eels have pectoral fins, while snakes do not have any arms.
This creature is found in East Asia and can grow up to 40 cm in length.
It has a one-sided, pinkish-brown body and no legs.
Its head is like a cone and has two small black eyes.
4. Asian Swamp Eel
4. Asian Swamp Eel
Scientific Name Monopterus albusType of AnimalFishRangenative to Asia.
It is also found in Central and South America, Africa, and Australia
Although its long, slender body looks like a snake, the Asian swamp eel is actually a fish.
It can grow over three feet tall and is 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 does not have pectoral and pelvic fins.
Scientific NameGymnophionaType of AnimalInsectRangetropical and neotropical areas around 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 no legs, but they differ from snakes in many ways.
Caecilians have poor eyesight and lack external ear openings.
6. California barefoot lizard
6. California barefoot lizard
The California legless gecko is a type of snake-like reptile.
It is often confused for a snake because it lacks legs and has a long, slender body.
However, the California legless gecko can be distinguished from snakes by the external ear openings and eye lids.
In addition, this reptile has a forked tongue, unlike snakes.
Scientific NameCrocodylidaeType of AnimalReptileRangetropical regions of Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas
Crocodiles are large reptiles that live in bodies of water such as lakes, rivers, and swamps.
They have long, narrow snouts and thick, weighty skin.
Alligators are predators that prey on fish, birds, and other animals.
While crocodiles are not similar to snakes, they are part of the reptile family.
8. Eastern Glass Lizard
8. Eastern Glass Lizard
Scientific NameOphisaurus ventralisType of AnimalReptile Range throughout southern and eastern Georgia and South Carolina
The Eastern glass lizard is a type of lizard without legs.
It gets its name from the fact that, when threatened, it will cut off its tail to escape.
The broken tail twists, distracting the predator as the lizard emerges.
Despite their lack of legs, glass lizards are excellent climbers and are often found high up 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 looks like a snake.
Scientific NameDeilephila elpenorType of AnimalInsectRangeparks and gardens, as well as wooded edges, rough grassland, 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 Animal FishFrom the northern part of Russia and Finland to the coast of Morocco, Egypt, and even inside the Black Sea.
The European eel is a snake-like fish that can grow up to four feet long.
Scientific NameHebomoia glaucippeType of AnimalInsectRangemuch in south and southeast Asia, as well as southern China and southern Japan
The caterpillar, on the other hand, looks like a small snake with orange and black stripes running down its body.
Scientific NameGymnothorax funebrisType of AnimalFish Range in the western Atlantic Ocean, from New Jersey to Bermuda, and the northern Gulf of Mexico south to Brazil
The green moray 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.
Glass Island Lizard
Glass Island Lizard
Scientific NameOphisaurus compressusType of AnimalReptile Rangea along the coast of South Carolina in coastal and southern Georgia
The island glass lizard is a species of legless lizard native to the southeastern United States.
These lizards get their name from their transparent skin, which can be seen in some places.
Mirror lizards are often mistaken for snakes, but there are several ways to identify them.
For one thing, glass lizards have eyelids, while snakes do not.
Additionally, glass lizards have ear openings, while snakes do not.
Scientific NameAnguilla japonicaType in AnimalFishRangeJapan, Korea, China, and Vietnam, as well as the northern Philippines
The 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.
Mimicking the Glass Lizard
Mimicking the Glass Lizard
Scientific NameOphisaurus mimicusType of AnimalReptile Rangea along the coast of South Carolina and coastal and southern Georgia
The mimic glass lizard is a legless lizard that is often mistaken for a snake.
It is found in the southeastern United States and can grow up to three feet tall.
This lizard got its name because of its ability to remove its tail when caught by a predator.
The tail will continue to vibrate, distracting the predator as the lizard escapes.
Red Helen Swallowtail Caterpillar
Red Helen Swallowtail Caterpillar
Scientific NamePapilio helenusType of AnimalInsectRangeForests of southern India and parts of southeast Asia
The red Helen swallowtail caterpillar looks like a small snake.
It is black with orange and white stripes running the length of its body.
Scientific NameAnguilla australisType of AnimalFishRangeNew Zealand, Australia, and throughout the South Pacific
The short-finned eel is a snake-like fish found in the Indo-Pacific region.
It can grow to about 3 feet tall and has a dark brown or black body with small, white spots.
Slender Glass Lizard
Slender Glass Lizard
Scientific NameOphisaurus attenuatusType of AnimalReptile Range throughout Georgia and South Carolina
The Slender Glass Lizard is a type of legless lizard.
The new tail will eventually grow back.
Slender Glass Lizards are found in the southeastern United States.
They can grow to about 2.5 feet tall.
The skin of a Slender Glass Lizard is smooth and shiny, and it is usually brown or tan in color.
Scientific NameAnguis fragilisType of AnimalInsectRangeheathland, tussocky grassland, woodland edges, and rides
The slowworm is a legless lizard found in Europe and parts of Asia.
It can grow up to 20 inches long and is often mistaken for a snake.
One of the main ways to tell the difference between a slowworm and a snake is that slowworms have eyelids, while snakes do not.
Scientific NamePapilio troilusType of AnimalInsectRange throughout the eastern half of the United States from southern Canada south to southern Florida (except the Miami area and the Keys) and west to Texas
The spicebush swallowtail caterpillar looks a lot like a snake.
It even has fake eyepots on the back that look like a snake’s head, complete with a forked tongue.
Scientific NameTestudinesType of AnimalReptile RangeWorldwide
While the head of the turtle looks like a snake, they are actually reptiles with hard shells.
Unlike snakes, turtles cannot twist their bodies and have arms.
Scientific Name Chalcides striatus Fauna Reptile Range The Iberian Peninsula, southern France, and parts of northwestern Italy
The western three-toed skink is a small lizard found in the western United States and parts of Canada.
This lizard is brown or gray in color with black stripes running down its body.
It grows about 4-5 inches long and is often mistaken for a snake.
One of the most unique features of the western three-toed skink is its tail.
This lizard can drop its tail when threatened and it will grow back over time.
While there are many creatures that resemble snakes, they are actually quite different.
Snakes are reptiles, while eels and caecilians are amphibians.
Additionally, snakes lack eyelids and external ear openings.
Blind snakes are probably the most snake-like creatures, but they can be distinguished by their small size and lack of eyes.
Living in South Africa I had the pleasure of seeing many of these animals up close and personal.