9 Animals That Slither

There are many animals in the world that use slithering as their primary means of locomotion. While this may seem like a strange way to move, it is actually quite efficient for many of these creatures. In fact, some animals are so adept at slithering that they can even outmaneuver their predators! Here are nine amazing animals that slither their way through life.

Animals That Slither

1. Snakes

One of the most common animals associated with slithering is the snake. These creatures have long, muscular bodies that they use to move in a wave-like motion. This allows them to travel quickly over land and through water with ease. Additionally, snakes can use their bodies to climb trees and other tall structures. While many people think of snakes as dangerous predators, they are actually quite vulnerable to attack. This is because they lack the thick armor that many other animals have. However, their quick reflexes and ability to move quickly make them a formidable opponent for any would-be attacker.

There are also a number of non-venomous snakes that are popular pets. These snakes are typically smaller than their venomous cousins and lack the ability to inject poison. However, they still make for interesting and low-maintenance pets. Non-venomous snakes can be found in a variety of colors and patterns, making them a favorite among snake enthusiasts.

Besides snakes, there are also a number of other creatures that use slithering as their primary means of locomotion. All of these animals have long, slender bodies that allow them to move easily through their environment. While they may not be able to outmaneuver predators like snakes can, they still have a number of other adaptations that help them survive in the wild.

2. Worms

Worms are one of the simplest animals that use slithering as their primary means of locomotion. They have a long, cylindrical body that is covered in mucous. This slimy substance helps them to move easily through the soil. Worms use their muscular bodies to push themselves forward. They don’t have any legs, so they rely on their slimy skin to help them move.  Worms use a combination of muscles and fluid pressure to propel themselves forward, and they are able to travel surprisingly fast given their small size. They are also important members of the ecosystem, as they help to break down dead plant and animal matter and recycle nutrients back into the soil. Without worms, our world would be a much messier place!

3. Slugs

Slugs are some of the most well-known slithering animals. While they may not be the most impressive creatures when it comes to speed or size, they make up for it with their sheer determination.

4. Snails

Snails are some of the most well-known slithering animals. They use a slimy mucous to move around, which allows them to slide easily over surfaces. Snails can also curl their bodies up into their shells for protection. In addition, they have a strong sense of smell which allows them to detect danger from a distance. Snails are found all over the world, and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Some snails can even grow up to 12 inches in length! According to the Guinness World Records, the largest snail ever recorded is 15.5 inches long!

5. Eels

Eels are perhaps one of the most well-known slithering creatures. These fish can be found in both salt and freshwater, and they use their slimy bodies to move around with ease. Eels can travel long distances by slithering through mud and other debris, and they are also capable of swimming quickly when necessary. Additionally, eels use their slithering motion to lure prey in before attacking them. This makes them a formidable predator in the water!

6. Leeches

Leeches are annelid worms that are known for their unique form of locomotion as well as their ability to attach themselves to other animals in order to feed off of their blood.. Leeches do not have legs or appendages of any kind. Instead, they rely on their long, slimy bodies to move in a rhythmic undulating motion. This may not seem very fast, but leeches can actually travel quite quickly when they need to. In addition, this method of locomotion allows them to move easily through tight spaces and over rough terrain.

One of the most interesting things about leeches is that they are capable of both swimming and slithering. When moving through water, leeches undulate their bodies in a wave-like motion. On land, however, they use a more serpentine motion to slither forward. This dual ability to move in both environments makes leeches one of the most versatile creatures on the planet!

They vary in size from just a few millimeters up to several inches in length. Leeches are not typically considered dangerous to humans, but they can carry diseases such as malaria. Despite these drawbacks, leeches are often used for medicinal purposes, as they can help remove blood clots and other blockages from the body. 

While leeches may not be the first creatures that come to mind when you think of animals that slither, they are undoubtedly one of the most fascinating. These slimy creatures are able to adapt to a wide variety of environments and have some truly unique locomotive abilities. Next time you see a leech, take a moment to appreciate all that this amazing creature can do!

7. Worm Lizards

Worm Lizards are also known as Amphisbaenia. There is not much known about these animals because of their burrowing lifestyle. Most species are less than six inches long.

The head is sturdy, not separated from the neck, and rounded, sloping, or slanted with a ridge running down the center. The majority of the cranium is solid bone, and the upper jaw has a single conspicuous median tooth. They have no outer ears, and their eyes are profoundly recessed and scale-covered. The tail truncates in a way that mimics the head, and the body is elongated. Their name comes from the mythical snake Amphisbaena, which has a head on each end.

They prey on arthropods, worms and small vertebrates.

Click here for a video on worm lizards.

8. Caecilians

Caecilians are a type of amphibian that looks like a cross between a snake and an earthworm. They live in the tropical regions of South America, Africa, and Southeast Asia. Caecilians can grow to be over three feet long, and their bodies are covered in scales or plates. They burrow through the soil. They eat insects, earthworms, and other small animals. They are the only amphibians that lack eyes! Many caecilians have no eyes. There are more than 256 different species of caecilian, and they come in all shapes and sizes. Some caecilian species are less than an 3.5 inches long, while others can grow up to five feet in length! They are burrowing animals. They spend most of their time underground, where they hunt for insects, spiders, and other small animals. Caecilians are preyed upon by a variety of predators, including reptiles, mammals, and birds. Caecilians are the only amphibians to have tentacles.

Click here for a video on Caecillians.

9. Legless Lizards

Legless Lizards are also known as glass lizards.

Did you know that in the movie, Indiana Jones: The Raiders of the Lost Ark, in the snake pit scene, they used legless lizards instead of snakes.

If you see a long, slender creature slithering around, it’s likely a snake. But not all creatures that lack legs are snakes – some are actually lizards! So, how can you tell the difference? One is by looking at the creature’s eyelids – snakes have eye caps which prevent them from blinking, while lizards have eyelids. Another way to tell the difference is by looking at the tongue. Snakes have forked tongues, while lizards have round tongues. Legless lizards also have ears. They have little holes in the back of his head. That is another characertistic of legless lizards as snakes do not have any ears. Another characteristic that sets them apart is the snake has fang-shaped teeth while legless lizards have cone-shaped teeth.

Conclusion

There are a number of amazing animals that use slithering as their primary means of locomotion. These creatures have long, slender bodies that allow them to move easily through their environment. Some animals slither because it’s the most efficient way to get around. Others do it to escape predators or capture prey. While they may not be able to outmaneuver predators like snakes can, they still have a number of other adaptations that help them survive in the wild. So next time you see an animal slithering through the forest or across a field, take a moment to appreciate its unique and fascinating way of getting around.