Lizards and Snakes
KNOWN SPECIES
11,348
0.48% of our world's living things are lizards and snakes
CHARACTERISTICS
- animals with a backbone (vertebrates)
- they periodically shed their whole skin
- their skin has scales
- specially jointed skulls and jaws allow them to open their mouths very wide to swallow unusually large prey
SIZE RANGE
0.6 inch to more than 29 feet (1.5 centimeters to more than 9 meters)
WHERE THEY LIVE
- on land
- some in oceans and in fresh water
Here are just SOME of the world’s lizards and snakes:
![Sticker about size](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_size_sticker/5943371-2-eng-US/lizards_size_sticker_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_size_sticker/5943371-2-eng-US/lizards_size_sticker_full_990.png 600w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_size_sticker/5943371-2-eng-US/lizards_size_sticker_full_1468.png 600w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_size_sticker/5943371-2-eng-US/lizards_size_sticker_full_1980.png 600w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_size_sticker/5943371-2-eng-US/lizards_size_sticker_full_2475.png 600w)
Komodo dragon
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Varanus komodoensis
![Large plump reptile laying down](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/reptiles_komodo_dragon/5942438-1-eng-US/reptiles_komodo_dragon_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/reptiles_komodo_dragon/5942438-1-eng-US/reptiles_komodo_dragon_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/reptiles_komodo_dragon/5942438-1-eng-US/reptiles_komodo_dragon_full_1468.png 1200w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/reptiles_komodo_dragon/5942438-1-eng-US/reptiles_komodo_dragon_full_1980.png 1200w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/reptiles_komodo_dragon/5942438-1-eng-US/reptiles_komodo_dragon_full_2475.png 1200w)
corn snake
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Pantherophis guttatus
![orange striped snake](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_corn_snake/5942414-1-eng-US/lizards_corn_snake_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_corn_snake/5942414-1-eng-US/lizards_corn_snake_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_corn_snake/5942414-1-eng-US/lizards_corn_snake_full_1468.png 1130w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_corn_snake/5942414-1-eng-US/lizards_corn_snake_full_1980.png 1130w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_corn_snake/5942414-1-eng-US/lizards_corn_snake_full_2475.png 1130w)
crocodile skink
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Tribolonotus gracilis
![grey lizard with orange rings around eyes](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_crocodile_skink/5942418-1-eng-US/lizards_crocodile_skink_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_crocodile_skink/5942418-1-eng-US/lizards_crocodile_skink_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_crocodile_skink/5942418-1-eng-US/lizards_crocodile_skink_full_1468.png 1200w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_crocodile_skink/5942418-1-eng-US/lizards_crocodile_skink_full_1980.png 1200w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_crocodile_skink/5942418-1-eng-US/lizards_crocodile_skink_full_2475.png 1200w)
king cobra
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Ophiophagus hannah
![Black snake with head up](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_king_cobra/5942430-2-eng-US/lizards_king_cobra_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_king_cobra/5942430-2-eng-US/lizards_king_cobra_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_king_cobra/5942430-2-eng-US/lizards_king_cobra_full_1468.png 1200w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_king_cobra/5942430-2-eng-US/lizards_king_cobra_full_1980.png 1200w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_king_cobra/5942430-2-eng-US/lizards_king_cobra_full_2475.png 1200w)
Egyptian spiny-tailed lizard
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Uromastyx aegyptia
![scaly creature laying down](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_egyptian_spiny_tailed_lizard/5942426-2-eng-US/lizards_egyptian_spiny_tailed_lizard_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_egyptian_spiny_tailed_lizard/5942426-2-eng-US/lizards_egyptian_spiny_tailed_lizard_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_egyptian_spiny_tailed_lizard/5942426-2-eng-US/lizards_egyptian_spiny_tailed_lizard_full_1468.png 1200w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_egyptian_spiny_tailed_lizard/5942426-2-eng-US/lizards_egyptian_spiny_tailed_lizard_full_1980.png 1200w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_egyptian_spiny_tailed_lizard/5942426-2-eng-US/lizards_egyptian_spiny_tailed_lizard_full_2475.png 1200w)
northern redbelly snake
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Storeria occipitomaculata
![Snake with blue and black back and orange belly](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_northern_redbelly_snake/5942442-1-eng-US/lizards_northern_redbelly_snake_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_northern_redbelly_snake/5942442-1-eng-US/lizards_northern_redbelly_snake_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_northern_redbelly_snake/5942442-1-eng-US/lizards_northern_redbelly_snake_full_1468.png 1200w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_northern_redbelly_snake/5942442-1-eng-US/lizards_northern_redbelly_snake_full_1980.png 1200w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_northern_redbelly_snake/5942442-1-eng-US/lizards_northern_redbelly_snake_full_2475.png 1200w)
King's alligator lizard
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Elgaria kingii
![Long, slender, black and gold reptile](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_kings_alligator_lizard/5942434-1-eng-US/lizards_kings_alligator_lizard_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_kings_alligator_lizard/5942434-1-eng-US/lizards_kings_alligator_lizard_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_kings_alligator_lizard/5942434-1-eng-US/lizards_kings_alligator_lizard_full_1468.png 1200w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_kings_alligator_lizard/5942434-1-eng-US/lizards_kings_alligator_lizard_full_1980.png 1200w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_kings_alligator_lizard/5942434-1-eng-US/lizards_kings_alligator_lizard_full_2475.png 1200w)
eastern worm snake
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Carphophis amoenus
![Pink snake that looks like worm](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_eastern_worm_snake/5942422-2-eng-US/lizards_eastern_worm_snake_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_eastern_worm_snake/5942422-2-eng-US/lizards_eastern_worm_snake_full_990.png 990w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_eastern_worm_snake/5942422-2-eng-US/lizards_eastern_worm_snake_full_1468.png 1161w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_eastern_worm_snake/5942422-2-eng-US/lizards_eastern_worm_snake_full_1980.png 1161w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_eastern_worm_snake/5942422-2-eng-US/lizards_eastern_worm_snake_full_2475.png 1161w)
tusked chameleon
SCIENTIFIC NAME:
Furcifer balteatus
![Green lizard on a tree branch](/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_tusked_chamelion/5942446-2-eng-US/lizards_tusked_chamelion_full_495.png 495w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_tusked_chamelion/5942446-2-eng-US/lizards_tusked_chamelion_full_990.png 951w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_tusked_chamelion/5942446-2-eng-US/lizards_tusked_chamelion_full_1468.png 951w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_tusked_chamelion/5942446-2-eng-US/lizards_tusked_chamelion_full_1980.png 951w,/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/media/amnh/images/explore/ology-images/biodiversity/tree-of-life/lizards--snakes/lizards_tusked_chamelion/5942446-2-eng-US/lizards_tusked_chamelion_full_2475.png 951w)
Guess what?
Several snakes are venomous, but most are harmless to humans.
Image Credits:
Corn snake, crocodile skink, eastern worm snake, northern redbelly snake, John White/© California Academy of Sciences; tusked chameleon, © California Academy of Sciences; Egyptian spiny-tailed lizard, © AMNH; king cobra, © Dr. Anand Titus and Geeta N. Pereira/CC BY-SA 2.0; King's alligator lizard, © AMNH; Komodo dragon, Gerald and Buff Corsi/© California Academy of Sciences.