Are snakes and worms related? This is a question that has been debated by biologists for years. The answer is not clear cut but there is evidence to suggest that these two groups of animals are related.
The main evidence for a relationship between snakes and worms comes from their shared anatomy. Both groups of animals have cylindrical bodies no limbs and a smooth outer surface. Additionally both groups lack a backbone although worms have a series of small bones running through their bodies while snakes have no internal skeleton at all.
Another piece of evidence for a relationship between snakes and worms is that both groups reproduce in similar ways. Both lay eggs which hatch into young that look like miniature versions of the adults. Additionally both groups of animals undergo a process called metamorphosis in which they change dramatically in appearance as they develop from larvae into adults.
So what does all of this evidence mean? It suggests that snakes and worms are related but it is not conclusive. However there is one final piece of evidence that supports a relationship between these two groups of animals.
Both snakes and worms are members of a larger group of animals known as the invertebrates. Invertebrates are animals without a backbone and they make up the vast majority of animals on Earth. Of all the invertebrates worms and snakes are the most similar both in terms of their anatomy and their lifestyle.
This evidence suggests that snakes and worms are in fact related. So the next time someone asks you if snakes and worms are related you can tell them that there is evidence to support this claim.
What is the scientific name for the animal commonly referred to as a snake?
The scientific name for a snake is serpentes.
What is the difference between a snake and a worm?
Snakes and worms are both invertebrates meaning they lack a backbone.
Worms are segmented meaning their bodies are divided into sections by internal partitions.
Snakes are not segmented.
How many species of snakes are there?
There are approximately 3000 species of snakes.
What is the longest snake in the world?
The longest snake in the world is the reticulated python which can grow to be 33 feet long.
What is the heaviest snake in the world?
The heaviest snake in the world is the green anaconda which can weigh up to 550 pounds.
What is the fastest snake in the world?
The fastest snake in the world is the black mamba which can travel up to 14 miles per hour.
What is the smallest snake in the world?
The smallest snake in the world is the thread snake which can grow to be just 4 inches long.
What is the deadliest snake in the world?
The deadliest snake in the world is the inland taipan which can kill up to 100 adult humans with a single bite.
What is the average lifespan of a snake?
The average lifespan of a snake is 10 to 25 years.
What do snakes eat?
Snakes eat a variety of different animals including rodents birds lizards and other snakes.
How do snakes digest their food?
Snakes digest their food by using their teeth to tear it into small pieces and then swallowing it whole.
How do snakes reproduce?
Snakes reproduce by laying eggs.
What is the average clutch size of a snake?
The average clutch size of a snake is 12 eggs.
What is the incubation period for snake eggs?
The incubation period for snake eggs is 60 to 90 days.
How do snakes shed their skin?
Snakes shed their skin by rubbing against a rough surface which loosens the old skin so that they can slither out of it.
