Squamates | Squamata

Squamata is a broad collective order of scaled reptiles. Squamates fall under class reptilia and are commonly distinguished by their skins. They are characterized by horny scales or shields on their skins, body elongation which is a popular modification in squamate’s body plan, having movable quadrate bones with most being carnivores while others omnivores. These animals include snakes, lizards, and amphisbaenian. Squamates are terrestrial or arboreal, with very few being aquatic. They may also have no/reduced limbs while some have four limbs. Squamates can either live in groups or in solitary.

What characteristics make a Squamata?

The characteristics that make a Squamata unique include having a scaled skin that distinguishes them as well as having horn-like scales or shields. Other characteristics of squamates include having movable quadrate bones that make it possible for them to move their upper jaw in accordance with the neurocranium.

How are Squamata adapted to their environments?

Squamata are adapted to their environments by regulating their body temperature through their exterior environment, a process known as Ectothermy. When it is cold, they seek warmer environments and when it is hot they will seek out a cool environment. This allows them to go sometimes months without feeding.

How many families of Squamata are there?

There are 60 Squamata families that include more than 10,900 species of squamates. The squamata families include the Amphisbaenidae, Cadeidae, Dibamidae, Gekkonidae, and Sphaerodactylidae families. Other Squamata families include the Chamaeleonidae, Iguanidae, Anguidae, and Elapidae. The families are then categorized into the infraorders of Amphisbaenia, Gekkota, Iguania, Lacertoidea, Anguimorpha, Scincoidea, Alethinophidia, and Scolecophidia.

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.39”-.55” | 1-1.4 cm
.6”-.8” | 1.5-2 cm
3”-3.5” | 7.5-9 cm
1.8-3.5 oz | 50-100 g
10-25 years
Armadillo Lizard
1.400
2.000
9.000
0.100
25.00
53600
GUIDE
3D
Armadillo Lizard
3.15”-5.9” | 8-15 cm
6.5’-12’ | 1.98-3.66 m
6.6-11 lb | 3-5 kg
12-18 years
Atlantic Bushmaster
15.000
366.000
5.000
18.00
3205
GUIDE
3D
Atlantic Bushmaster
1.2”-2.75” | 3-7 cm
2’-5’ | .61-1.52 m
2.6-6.6 lb | 1.2-3 kg
30-50 years
Ball Python
7.000
152.000
3.000
50.00
227400
GUIDE
3D
Ball Python
2”-3.9” | 5-10 cm
6.5’-14’ | 1.98-4.27 m
2.2-3.5 lb | 1-1.6 kg
10-20 years
Black Mamba
10.000
427.000
1.600
20.00
437350
GUIDE
3D
Black Mamba
4.37”-6.5” | 11.1-16.5 cm
3.94”-5.91” | 10-15 cm
40”-60” | 101.6-152.4 cm
25-31 lb | 11-14 kg
25-69 years
Blue Iguana
16.500
15.000
152.400
14.000
69.00
34600
GUIDE
3D
Blue Iguana
3.5”-8.7” | 9-22 cm
8’-26’ | 2.44-7.92 m
15-165 lb | 6.8-75 kg
20-28 years
Burmese Python
22.000
792.000
75.000
28.00
72500
GUIDE
3D
Burmese Python
1.2”-2” | 3-5 cm
3’-6.5’ | .91-1.98 m
1-3.3 lb | .45-1.5 kg
10-20 years
California Kingsnake
5.000
198.000
1.500
20.00
16400
GUIDE
3D
California Kingsnake
1.6”-3.15” | 4-8 cm
6.5’-10’ | 1.98-3.05 m
26.4-33 lb | 12-15 kg
15-30 years
Carpet Python
8.000
305.000
15.000
30.00
27200
GUIDE
3D
Carpet Python
.35”-.71” | .9-1.8 cm
.4”-.83” | 1-2.1 cm
3”-5.9” | 7.5-15 cm
1.6-2.5 oz | 45-70 g
3-8 years
Common House Gecko
1.800
2.100
15.000
0.070
8.00
136000
GUIDE
3D
Common House Gecko
.71”-1.1” | 1.8-2.8 cm
.98”-1.38” | 2.5-3.5 cm
7.1”-11” | 18-28 cm
1.6-3 oz | 45-85 g
10-20 years
Common Leopard Gecko
2.800
3.500
28.000
0.085
20.00
300000
GUIDE
3D
Common Leopard Gecko
1.2”-2” | 3-5 cm
24”-40” | .61-1.02 m
.22-.77 lb | .1-.35 kg
10-30 years
Copperhead
5.000
102.000
0.350
30.00
227700
GUIDE
3D
Copperhead
.6”-1.4” | 1.5-3.5 cm
2’-6’ | .61-1.83 m
1-2 lb | .45-.9 kg
10-23 years
Corn Snake
3.500
183.000
0.900
23.00
255000
GUIDE
3D
Corn Snake
.67”-1.06” | 1.7-2.7 cm
.79”-1.34” | 2-3.4 cm
5.9”-9.8” | 15-25 cm
1.2-1.9 oz | 35-55 g
5-20 years
Crested Gecko
2.700
3.400
25.000
0.055
20.00
139300
GUIDE
3D
Crested Gecko
1.1”-1.73” | 2.8-4.4 cm
1.06”-1.65” | 2.7-4.2 cm
10”-16” | 25.4-40.6 cm
2-3 oz | 57-85 g
7-14 years
Desert Iguana
4.400
4.200
40.600
0.085
14.00
6300
GUIDE
3D
Desert Iguana
1.97”-2.4” | 5-6.1 cm
3”-3.62” | 7.6-9.2 cm
20”-24” | 50.8-61 cm
.8-1.2 lb | .38-.55 kg
6-18 years
Eastern Bearded Dragon
6.100
9.200
61.000
0.550
18.00
5100
GUIDE
3D
Eastern Bearded Dragon
1”-1.4” | 2.5-3.5 cm
3.5’-6’ | 1.07-1.83 m
1.1-4.9 lb | .5-2.2 kg
10-34 years
Eastern Black Rat Snake
3.500
183.000
2.200
34.00
1200
GUIDE
3D
Eastern Black Rat Snake
2”-3.9” | 5-10 cm
6.5’-14’ | 1.98-4.27 m
2.2-3.3 lb | 1-1.5 kg
12-19 years
Eastern Green Mamba
10.000
427.000
1.500
19.00
3950
GUIDE
3D
Eastern Green Mamba
1.8”-2.75” | 4.5-7 cm
4’-6’ | 1.22-1.83 m
.9-2 lb | .4-.9 kg
15-20 years
Emerald Tree Boa
7.000
183.000
0.900
20.00
30100
GUIDE
3D
Emerald Tree Boa
3.7”-4.9” | 9.5-12.5 cm
4’-6’ | 1.22-1.83 m
17.6-24.3 lb | 8-11 kg
13-20 years
Gaboon Viper
12.500
183.000
11.000
20.00
140400
GUIDE
3D
Gaboon Viper
3.5”-7.9” | 9-20 cm
10’-30’ | 3.05-9.14 m
100-550 lb | 45-250 kg
10-32 years
Green Anaconda
20.000
914.000
250.000
32.00
77400
GUIDE
3D
Green Anaconda
.35”-.83” | .9-2.1 cm
.31”-.71” | .8-1.8 cm
4”-9” | 10.2-22.9 cm
.07-.21 oz | 2-6 g
3-8 years
Green Anole
2.100
1.800
22.900
0.006
8.00
65000
GUIDE
3D
Green Anole
2.2”-4.45” | 5.6-11.3 cm
2.24”-4.49” | 5.7-11.4 cm
18”-36” | 46-91 cm
7-17.6 oz | .2-.5 kg
5-10 years
Green Basilisk
11.300
11.400
91.000
0.500
10.00
4900
GUIDE
3D
Green Basilisk
1.46”-2.05” | 3.7-5.2 cm
1.18”-1.69” | 3-4.3 cm
12”-17” | 30.5-43.2 cm
2.6-8.8 lb | 1.2-4 kg
12-25 years
Green Iguana
5.200
4.300
43.200
4.000
25.00
42000
GUIDE
3D
Green Iguana
1.6”-2.4” | 4-6 cm
5’-6.5’ | 1.52-1.98 m
2.4-3.5 lb | 1.1-1.6 kg
12-20 years
Green Tree Python
6.000
198.000
1.600
20.00
58000
GUIDE
3D
Green Tree Python
1”-1.4” | 2.5-3.5 cm
3.5’-5’ | 1.07-1.52 m
4.4-6.6 lb | 2-3 kg
24-32 years
Indian Cobra
3.500
152.000
3.000
32.00
38100
GUIDE
3D
Indian Cobra
3”-3.9” | 7.5-10 cm
6’-9’ | 1.83-2.74 m
2.2-4.4 lb | 1-2 kg
10-20 years
Inland Taipan
10.000
274.000
2.000
20.00
79900
GUIDE
3D
Inland Taipan
3.15”-5.5” | 8-14 cm
10’-18’ | 3.05-5.49 m
11-15 lb | 5-6.8 kg
15-23 years
King Cobra
14.000
549.000
6.800
23.00
353900
GUIDE
3D
King Cobra
14.17”-17.72” | 36-45 cm
13.78”-17.32” | 35-44 cm
8’-10’ | 2.43-3.05 m
150-300 lb | 68-136 kg
10-30 years
Komodo Dragon
45.000
44.000
305.000
136.000
30.00
452200
GUIDE
3D
Komodo Dragon
.63”-1.26” | 1.6-3.2 cm
.67”-1.3” | 1.7-3.3 cm
6”-12” | 15.2-30.5 cm
.7-3 oz | 20-85 g
10-20 years
Mexican Alligator Lizard
3.200
3.300
30.500
0.085
20.00
11600
GUIDE
3D
Mexican Alligator Lizard
2.44”-3.78” | 6.2-9.6 cm
1.89”-3” | 4.8-7.6 cm
13”-20” | 33-50.8 cm
2.1-6.3 oz | 60-180 g
3-7 years
Panther Chameleon
9.600
7.600
50.800
0.180
7.00
53200
GUIDE
3D
Panther Chameleon
2.4”-5.9” | 6-15 cm
5’-21’ | 1.52-6.4 m
165-385 lb | 75-175 kg
15-30 years
Reticulated Python
15.000
640.000
175.000
30.00
75800
GUIDE
3D
Reticulated Python
2.95”-8.46” | 7.5-21.5 cm
1.89”-5.31” | 4.8-13.5 cm
20”-54” | 50.8-137 cm
10-20 lb | 4.5-9 kg
10-20 years
Rhino Iguana
21.500
13.500
137.000
9.000
20.00
7800
GUIDE
3D
Rhino Iguana
.4”-.8” | 1-2 cm
16”-38” | 41-97 cm
2.2-3.3 lb | 1-1.5 kg
9-11 years
Ribbon Snake
2.000
97.000
1.500
11.00
21005
GUIDE
3D
Ribbon Snake
.6”-1.2” | 1.5-3 cm
17”-36” | 43-91 cm
.8-1 lb | .36-.45 kg
18-31 years
Rosy Boa
3.000
91.000
0.450
31.00
25030
GUIDE
3D
Rosy Boa
.4”-.6” | 1-1.5 cm
22”-32” | 56-81 cm
.03-.07 lb | 15-30 g
5-15 years
Rough Green Snake
1.500
81.000
0.030
15.00
13300
GUIDE
3D
Rough Green Snake
6.73”-8.3” | 17.1-21.1 cm
6.14”-7.48” | 15.6-19 cm
4’-5’ | 122-152 cm
11-13.2 lb | 5-6 kg
8-20 years
Savannah Monitor
21.100
19.000
152.400
6.000
20.00
35300
GUIDE
3D
Savannah Monitor
.4”-1” | 1-2.5 cm
2’-4’ | .61-1.22 m
2-5 lb | .9-2.3 kg
7-15 years
Texas Coral Snake
2.500
122.000
2.300
15.00
7700
GUIDE
3D
Texas Coral Snake
1.26”-1.69” | 3.2-4.3 cm
1.61”-2.4” | 4.1-6.1 cm
6”-8.5” | 15.2-21.6 cm
1.8-3.4 oz | 50-95 g
12-20 years
Thorny Dragon
4.300
6.100
21.600
0.095
20.00
7700
GUIDE
3D
Thorny Dragon
.59”-1.38” | 1.5-3.5 cm
.83”-1.65” | 2.1-4.2 cm
8”-16” | 20.3-40.6 cm
4.9-14.1 oz | 140-400 g
7-15 years
Tokay Gecko
3.500
4.200
40.600
0.400
15.00
50100
GUIDE
3D
Tokay Gecko
2.4”-4.33” | 6.1-11 cm
2.36”-3.94” | 6-10 cm
14”-24” | 35.6-61 cm
3-6 oz | 85-170 g
3-8 years
Veiled Chameleon
11.000
10.000
61.000
0.170
8.00
39600
GUIDE
3D
Veiled Chameleon
.8”-1.4” | 2-3.5 cm
2’-4’ | .61-1.22 m
.55-1.3 lb | .25-.6 kg
20-25 years
Water Moccasin
3.500
122.000
0.600
25.00
191000
GUIDE
3D
Water Moccasin
1.4”-2.75” | 3.5-7 cm
3’-7’ | .91-2.13 m
2.6-14.8 lb | 1.2-6.7 kg
15-26 years
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
7.000
213.000
6.700
26.00
20800
GUIDE
3D
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake
Gaboon Viper (Bitis gabonica)
Comparison illustration of the size of a Gaboon Viper to other snakes

Native to Sub-Saharan Savanna and rainforest, the Gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica) is venomous with the longest fangs compared to other snakes. Besides, it’s also the longest of all vipers. These nocturnal but slow-moving and placid snakes belong to the family Viperidae having triangular heads but narrow necks, prominent rostral horns and prefer thickest, woodlands, and grasslands. The Gaboon viper is recognized by its ability to show a different and wide range of eye movement among all snakes and a color pattern that makes them camouflage well in dried leaves. They are also called forest puff adder, whisper, butterfly adder, and swamjack and give birth to several liters of live offspring.

The Gaboon Viper has an overall length between 4’-6’ (1.22-1.83 m), body width of roughly 3.7”-4.9” (9.5-12.5 cm), and weight from 17.6-24.3 lb (8-11 kg). The typical lifespan of the Gaboon Viper is between 13-20 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Gaboon Viper in various poses
Native to Sub-Saharan Savanna and rainforest, the Gaboon viper (Bitis gabonica) is venomous with the longest fangs compared to other snakes. Besides, it’s also the longest of all vipers. These nocturnal but slow-moving and placid snakes belong to the family Viperidae.

The Gaboon Viper has an overall length between 4’-6’ (1.22-1.83 m), body width of roughly 3.7”-4.9” (9.5-12.5 cm), and weight from 17.6-24.3 lb (8-11 kg). The typical lifespan of the Gaboon Viper is between 13-20 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Gaboon Viper in various poses
Gaboon Viper (Bitis gabonica)
Height:
Width:
3.7”-4.9” | 9.5-12.5 cm
Length:
4’-6’ | 1.22-1.83 m
Depth:
Weight:
17.6-24.3 lb | 8-11 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Bitis gabonica
Lifespan
13-20 years

Drawings include:
Gaboon Viper top view (assorted)

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Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)
Comparison illustration of the size of a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake to other snakes

The Western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) is also called corn tail, desert diamond-back, diamond-backed rattlesnake, spitting snake, and buzz tail. The snake favors hillsides, steep rocky canyons, desert scrub, grassland desert, and sandy areas. They belong to the family Viperidae and native to the southwest part of North America up to Mexico. These highly aggressive pit vipers’ defense mechanisms include forming an S-shape by lifting the fore body or coiling, rattling, and attacking if those measures do not work. The head is triangular, tail shorter, and a plump body covered either in pink, pale blue, yellowish-gray with a dark diamond shape and pale border down its length. Females give birth to live offspring.

The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake has an overall length between 3’-7’ (.91-2.13 m), body width of roughly 1.4”-2.75” (3.5-7 cm), and weight from 2.6-14.8 lb (1.2-6.7 kg). The typical lifespan of the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is between 15-26 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Western Diamondback Rattlesnake in various poses
The Western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) is also called corn tail, desert diamond-back, diamond-backed rattlesnake, spitting snake, and buzz tail. The snake favors hillsides, steep rocky canyons, desert scrub, grassland desert, and sandy areas. They belong to the family Viperidae.

The Western Diamondback Rattlesnake has an overall length between 3’-7’ (.91-2.13 m), body width of roughly 1.4”-2.75” (3.5-7 cm), and weight from 2.6-14.8 lb (1.2-6.7 kg). The typical lifespan of the Western Diamondback Rattlesnake is between 15-26 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Western Diamondback Rattlesnake in various poses
Western Diamondback Rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox)
Height:
Width:
1.4”-2.75” | 3.5-7 cm
Length:
3’-7’ | .91-2.13 m
Depth:
Weight:
2.6-14.8 lb | 1.2-6.7 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Crotalus atrox
Lifespan
15-26 years

Drawings include:

Western Diamondback Rattlesnake top view (assorted)

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Eastern Bearded Dragon (Pogona barbata)
Comparison illustration of the size of a Eastern Bearded Dragon to other lizards

The eastern bearded dragon (Pogona barbata) is a kind of lizard native to eastern Australia, residing amongst the trees of forests for shelter and survival. It features a triangular shaped head, harsh body, and a spiny ‘beard’ under its throat that can be extended or inflated as a response to potential danger. The next step of its defense is to reveal its wide, bright yellow mouth. The eastern bearded dragon also relies on its skin color that ranges from a yellow-brown to a dark grayish-brown to blend itself into the environment, maintaining a frozen position when threatened.

The Eastern Bearded Dragon has an overall length between 20”-24” (50.8-61 cm), body width of 3”-3.62” (7.6-9.2 cm), body height of 1.97”-2.4” (5-6.1 cm), and weight between .8-1.2 lb (.38-.55 kg). The typical lifespan of the Eastern Bearded Dragon is between 6-18 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Eastern Bearded Dragon in various poses
The eastern bearded dragon (Pogona barbata) is a kind of lizard native to eastern Australia, residing amongst the trees of forests for shelter and survival. It features a triangular shaped head, harsh body, and a spiny ‘beard’ under its throat that can be extended or inflated as a danger response.

The Eastern Bearded Dragon has an overall length between 20”-24” (50.8-61 cm), body width of 3”-3.62” (7.6-9.2 cm), body height of 1.97”-2.4” (5-6.1 cm), and weight between .8-1.2 lb (.38-.55 kg). The typical lifespan of the Eastern Bearded Dragon is between 6-18 years.

Scaled collection of drawings of Eastern Bearded Dragon in various poses
Eastern Bearded Dragon (Pogona barbata)
Height:
1.97”-2.4” | 5-6.1 cm
Width:
3”-3.62” | 7.6-9.2 cm
Length:
20”-24” | 50.8-61 cm
Depth:
Weight:
.8-1.2 lb | .38-.55 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Pogona barbata
Lifespan
6-18 years

Drawings include:

Eastern Bearded Dragon top view, side

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Savannah Monitor (Varanus exanthematicus)
Scale illustration of an average Savannah Monitor compared to other lizard species

A species of lizard native to the savannas or grasslands of southern and eastern Africa, the savannah monitor (Varanus exanthematicus) is characterized by its medium-sized, stout body with short limbs that are intended for digging. Its coloration ranges from gray to tan. It also has large scales placed especially around its head and neck, a strong jaw, and a set of blunt teeth adapted to prey on that of snails, beetles, etc. When hunting for this hard-shelled prey in the wild, the savannah monitor acts as a scavenger searching over great distances to feed.

The Savannah Monitor has an overall length between 4’-5’ (122-152 cm), body width of 6.14”-7.48” (15.6-19 cm), body height of 6.73”-8.3” (17.1-21.1 cm), and weight between 11-13.2 lb (5-6 kg). The typical lifespan of the Savannah Monitor is between 8-20 years.

Series of measured illustrations of the Savannah Monitor
A species of lizard native to the savannas or grasslands of southern and eastern Africa, the savannah monitor (Varanus exanthematicus) is characterized by its medium-sized, stout body with short limbs that are intended for digging. Its coloration ranges from gray to tan.

The Savannah Monitor has an overall length between 4’-5’ (122-152 cm), body width of 6.14”-7.48” (15.6-19 cm), body height of 6.73”-8.3” (17.1-21.1 cm), and weight between 11-13.2 lb (5-6 kg). The typical lifespan of the Savannah Monitor is between 8-20 years.

Series of measured illustrations of the Savannah Monitor
Savannah Monitor (Varanus exanthematicus)
Height:
6.73”-8.3” | 17.1-21.1 cm
Width:
6.14”-7.48” | 15.6-19 cm
Length:
4’-5’ | 122-152 cm
Depth:
Weight:
11-13.2 lb | 5-6 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Varanus exanthematicus
Lifespan
8-20 years

Drawings include:

Savannah Monitor top view, side

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Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis saurita)
Dimensioned comparison drawing of the Ribbon Snake compared to other snakes

The Ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus) is distinguished from the Eastern garter snake by the absence of dark marking between their lip scales. Common defense mechanisms include either striking or discharging a foul smell. These harmless snakes belong to the family Colubridae and found in Eastern and Northern America favoring marsh areas, lakes, streams, wet woodlands, and aquatic areas. They hibernate during winter and breed in summer, giving birth to live offspring. Their slender body coated in dark brown with bright yellow stripes or green stripes running longitudinal on their body makes them fast-moving. They use auditory and visual perception when hunting. Fortunately, they do not feed on warm-blooded animals.

The Ribbon Snake has an overall length between 16”-38” (41-97 cm), body width of roughly .4”-.8” (1-2 cm), and weight from 2.2-3.3 lb (1-1.5 kg). The typical lifespan of the Ribbon Snake is between 9-11 years.

Set of scaled top view drawings of the Ribbon Snake
The Ribbon snake (Thamnophis sauritus) is distinguished from the Eastern garter snake by the absence of dark marking between their lip scales. Common defense mechanisms include either striking or discharging a foul smell. These harmless snakes belong to the family Colubridae.

The Ribbon Snake has an overall length between 16”-38” (41-97 cm), body width of roughly .4”-.8” (1-2 cm), and weight from 2.2-3.3 lb (1-1.5 kg). The typical lifespan of the Ribbon Snake is between 9-11 years.

Set of scaled top view drawings of the Ribbon Snake
Ribbon Snake (Thamnophis saurita)
Height:
Width:
.4”-.8” | 1-2 cm
Length:
16”-38” | 41-97 cm
Depth:
Weight:
2.2-3.3 lb | 1-1.5 kg
Area:
Scientific Name
Thamnophis saurita
Lifespan
9-11 years

Drawings include:

Ribbon Snake top view (assorted)

Details & Downloads

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