Snakes and lizards

Snakes and lizards belong to the order Squamata. Containing nearly 8,000 species, this is the largest and most diverse of the reptile groups. All animals within this group have scaly skin and a flexible and powerful jaw structure that enables them to eat large food items. They also have long, flickering tongues which they use to pick up chemicals in the air, helping them to ‘see’ their surrounding environment. The most obvious difference between lizards and snakes is that most lizards have working limbs whereas snakes are legless and instead use their muscles and scales to do the ‘walking’. Unlike more ancient reptiles, not all Squamates lay eggs. Instead they give birth to fully-formed babies much like a mammal would.

We have more than 30 species of snakes and lizards at Chester Zoo, including the world’s largest lizard and longest snake!