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 all legless reptiles.
Although they may look similar, there are several important ways to tell these creatures apart.
Another reason is that lizards tend to have external ears, while snakes do not.
In addition, lizards have eyelashes with which they can blink, while the eyes of snakes are protected by clear scales called brille.
Snakes are also limbless, while lizards and amphisbaenians have unusual limbs.
Amphisbaenians have forked tongues like snakes, while lizards have forked tongues.
Examples of Animals Like Snakes
Examples of Animals Like Snakes
Scientific Name Archispirostreptus gigas Species Insect Prefers the rainforests of western Africa
The African giant caribou is the largest millipede in the world, growing up to 38 cm (15 in) in length.
It is a shiny black color with red markings on its body.
It is non-venomous and does not bite, but it can secrete a noxious liquid from its body that smells like cyanide.
This millipede is often confused with snakes because of its long, segmented body.
Scientific NameAnguilla rostrata Species RangeVenezuela to Greenland and Iceland throughout the Atlantic coast
The American eel is a long, slender creature with a snake-like body.
It can grow up to four meters in length, and its skin is covered with yellow mucus.
This fish is often mistaken for a snake, but there are several important ways to tell it apart.
One reason is that eels have toes, while snakes do not.
Furthermore, 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 split, pinkish-brown body and no legs.
Its head is shaped like a cone and it has two black eyes.
4. Asian Swamp Eel
4. Asian Swamp Eel
Scientific NameMonopterus albusFish SpeciesRangenative to Asia.
It is also found in Central and South America, Africa and Australia
Although its long, slender body may resemble that of a snake, the Asian swamp fish is actually a fish.
It can grow to over three meters in length 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 fish lacks pectoral and pelvic fins.
Scientific Name
Caecilians are often mistaken for amphibians.
They have long, cylindrical bodies and are legless, but they differ from snakes in several ways.
Caecilians have poor eyesight and do not have open ears.
6. California Legless Lizard
6. California Legless Lizard
The California legless lizard is a type of snake-like reptile.
It is often confused for a snake because it lacks legs and has a long, thin body.
However, the California legless lizard can be distinguished from snakes by the opening of the ears and eyes.
In addition, this reptile has a forked tongue, unlike snakes.
Scientific NameCrocodylidaeType of AnimalIn the tropics of Africa, Asia, Australia and America
Crocodiles are large reptiles that live in water such as lakes, rivers and swamps.
They have long, thin noses and thick, scarred skin.
Crocodiles are predators that hunt fish, birds and other animals.
Although crocodiles are not like snakes, they are part of the reptile family.
8. Eastern Glass Lizard
8. Eastern Glass Lizard
Scientific Name
The Eastern glass lizard is a type of legless lizard.
It gets its name from the fact that, if threatened, it will break its tail to escape.
A broken tail will twist, distracting the beast as the lizard flees.
Despite their lack of legs, glass lizards are very agile and can often be found high in trees.
9. Eastern Tiger Beetle
9. Eastern Tiger Beetle
Scientific NamePapilio glaucus Species RangeAlabama, Delaware, Georgia, and South Carolina
The Eastern tiger swallowtail looks very much like a snake.
Scientific NameDeilephila elpenor SpeciesInsectRangeparks and gardens, as well as forest edges, rough grasslands and sand dunes.
The elephant hawk-moth looks like a small snake with its long, thin body and green, brown and pink color.
Scientific NameAnguilla anguillaFish Species From northern Russia and Finland down to the coasts of Morocco, Egypt, and even in the Black Sea.
The European eel is a snake-like fish that can grow up to four meters in length.
Scientific Name Hebomoia glaucippe Species Insects Most of southern and southeastern Asia, as well as southern China and southern Japan.
On the other hand, the worm looks like a small snake with orange and black stripes running down its body.
Scientific NameGymnothorax funebrisFish SpeciesRange 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 meters in length.
Moray is olive green with black spots and has a large head with sharp teeth.
Glass Lizard Island
Glass Lizard Island
Scientific Name
The island glass lizard is a legless lizard native to the southeastern United States.
These lizards get their name from their shiny skin, which is seen in some places.
Glass lizards are often thought of as snakes, but there are many ways to classify them.
Another reason is that glass lizards have eyelids, while snakes do not.
In addition, glass lizards have open ears, while snakes do not.
Scientific Name Anguilla japonica Fish Species Range Japan, Korea, China and Vietnam, as well as the northern Philippines
The Japanese eel is a snake-like fish that can grow up to four meters in length.
It has a long, thin body and a small mouth with sharp teeth.
Mimic Glass Lizard
Mimic Glass Lizard
Scientific Name
The mec glass 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 meters tall.
This lizard gets its name from its ability to pull out its tail when caught by a predator.
The tail will continue to wag, distracting the beast as the lizard flees.
Helen’s Red Swallowtail
Helen’s Red Swallowtail
Scientific Name Papilio helenus Species Species Forests of southern India and parts of Southeast Asia
The red Helen swallowtail worm looks like a small snake.
It is black with orange and white stripes running the length of its body.
Scientific NameAnguilla australis Species Range New Zealand, Australia, and throughout the South Pacific
The short eel is a snake-like fish that can be found in the Indo-Pacific region.
It can grow up to 3 feet tall and has a dark or black body with small, white spots.
The Glass Lizard is skinny
The Glass Lizard is skinny
Scientific Name
The Slender Glass Lizard is a type of legless lizard.
A new tail will eventually grow back.
Glass Slender Lizards are found in the southeastern United States.
They can grow up to 2.5 meters tall.
The skin of the Slender Glass Lizard is smooth and shiny, and is usually tan or brown in color.
Scientific NameAnguis fragilis SpeciesInsectRangeheathland, grassland, forest edges, and carrion
A slowworm is a legless lizard found in Europe and parts of Asia.
It can grow up to 20 inches in length and is often considered a snake.
One of the main ways to distinguish between a “slowworm” and a snake is that a “slowworm” has eyes, while snakes do not.
Scientific Name Papilio troilus Species of Animal Insects Across the eastern half of the United States from southern Canada to southern Florida (except the Miami and Keys area) and west to Texas.
The spicebush swallowtail caterpillar looks a lot like a snake.
It even has fake eye sockets on its back that make it look like a snake’s head, complete with a forked tongue.
Scientific NameTestudinesType AnimalReptileRange Worldwide
Although the turtle’s head looks a bit like a snake, it is actually a hard-shelled reptile.
Unlike snakes, turtles cannot adorn their bodies and have limbs.
Scientific Name Chalcides striatusType of ReptileRangethe Iberian Peninsula, southern France, and parts of northwestern Italy.
The western three-toed lizard is a lizard found in the western United States and parts of Canada.
This lizard is brown or blue in color with dark stripes running down its body.
It grows to a length of 4-5 inches and is often mistaken for a snake.
One of the most distinctive 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.
Although there are many creatures that resemble snakes, they are actually very different.
Snakes are reptiles, while eels and caecilians are amphibians.
Furthermore, snakes have no eyes and no external ears.
Blind snakes may be the most snake-like creatures, but they can be distinguished by their small size and lack of eyes.
Living in South Africa I am happy to see many of these animals up close.