Snakes and lizards, belonging to the order Squamata, are easily recognized by their scaly skin. They have great jaw mobility and shed their skin. Snakes can be distinguished by their complete lack of limbs and long, slender bodies. Lizards have legs, eyelids, external ear openings, and long tails. Out of over 3,000 species of snakes, 14 can be found in Connecticut. A majority of these snakes are colubrids, of the family Colubridae– nonvenomous snakes. Two of these are Crotalidae, new world pit vipers, which are venomous. 1 out of the 4,500 species of lizards resides in Connecticut. It is from the family Scincidae, skinks. 

To learn more about the snakes and lizards found in Connecticut, click on a species below: