Discover the Legless Lizards: Animals That Crawl Like Snakes

Explore fascinating legless lizards and other reptiles that move like snakes, their unique traits, and behaviors.

Published Jul 15, 2025

Overview

In the fascinating world of reptiles, many species have evolved unique adaptations that allow them to thrive in their environments. This video titled 'What animal crawls like a snake?' delves into the intriguing characteristics of legless lizards and slowworms—two remarkable reptiles that exhibit snake-like movement. Understanding these animals not only highlights their evolutionary traits but also contributes to broader biodiversity knowledge, making this content relevant to nature enthusiasts and students alike.

Video transcript

Legless lizards crawl like a snake, moving in a similar undulating manner. Despite their snake-like appearance and movement, these reptiles differ significantly by having eyelids, external ear openings, and often a more rigid body compared to snakes. Another example is the slowworm, a limb-reduced lizard that also mimics this snake-like crawling behavior.

Questions and answers

What is a legless lizard?
A legless lizard is a type of lizard that has evolved to lose its limbs, allowing it to crawl in a snake-like manner. They can be identified by their eyelids and external ear openings, which distinguish them from snakes.
Are slowworms actually worms?
Despite their name, slowworms are not worms. They are legless lizards that resemble snakes and have a distinct burrowing and crawling behavior similar to that of snakes.
How do lizards and snakes differ in movement?
Lizards and snakes differ in their movement due to their body structure. Lizards can use their limbs (if present) to assist in movement, whereas snakes rely entirely on their muscular, elongated bodies to slither. Legless lizards exhibit a crawling motion similar to snakes but maintain some lizard characteristics.
What adaptations do legless lizards have for crawling?
Legless lizards have adapted to a limbless lifestyle through a more rigid body structure, which aids in undulating movement. Their unique physical characteristics, such as eyelids and ear openings, allow them to function similarly to snakes while retaining their lizard classification.