Final answer:
Snakes, distinct from legless lizards, are legless reptiles that move swiftly without legs and have a flexible jaw for feeding. They evolved from a tetrapod ancestor, have a variety of species, and use their tongue to 'smell'. Snakes are capable of social interactions, such as finding potential mates attractive.
Step-by-step explanation:
Characteristics of Snakes
Snakes are fascinating reptiles that differ significantly from their close counterparts, legless lizards. Unlike these lizards, snakes lack eyelids, limbs, external ears, or forelimbs, showcasing their unique evolution from a tetrapod ancestor. The astonishing adaptation of snakes is evident in their ability to move swiftly without legs, a feature that surprises many. They achieve this through sinuous movements orchestrated by their elongated, muscular bodies. Snakes have a wide variety of species, with over 3,000 types found everywhere except Antarctica, ranging from tiny thread snakes to massive pythons and anacondas.
When it comes to survival, snakes have a highly flexible jaw, allowing them to swallow large prey whole. Some species use venom, delivered through fangs, to subdue their food. Not only remarkable for their physical abilities, but snakes also have intriguing social behaviors. They are capable of finding other snakes attractive, which plays a crucial part in their mating rituals. A snake's senses are well-adapted for their environment, as shown by their method of "smelling" using their tongue to collect scent molecules from their surroundings.
Despite similarities with legless lizards, snakes stand out due to specialized features such as their jaws and the absence of certain body parts. This distinction is rooted in their evolution from either burrowing or aquatic lizards over 100 million years ago. All snakes share a carnivorous diet, preying on small animals, birds, eggs, fish, and insects.