Vestigial Snake Legs

Religious stories may tell how “wicked” snakes were cursed and lost their legs, and evolutionary biologists do believe snakes once had legs. However, this change was likely spurred on by environmental pressures and natural selection-limblessness offered an advantage.

More advanced snake species like vipers lack any remaining vestigial limbs. However, more primitive serpents (like constrictors) retain a pelvic girdle. This still supports small leg bones and tiny claws.

False Serpent

You’d be forgiven for spotting a legless lizard and assuming it was a snake. However, careful examination will reveal a more lizard-like head, ear openings behind the eyes, or longitudinal stripes—all traits of lizards, rather than snakes. Some legless lizards may grow to great lengths—over one meter (three feet) in some cases. The creatures hunt a wide range of prey and compensate for a lack of walking ability and lack of venom with a rather powerful bite.