At first glance, eels and snakes might seem similar due to their long, slender bodies and slithering movements. However, despite their superficial resemblance, eels are not snakes. They belong to completely different groups of animals and have many distinct biological differences. This article explores the key reasons why eels are not considered snakes.
1. Different Classifications
Eels are fish. They belong to the class Actinopterygii, which includes ray-finned fishes. Most eels fall under the order Anguilliformes. In contrast, snakes are reptiles from the class Reptilia, order Squamata. This alone puts them in entirely separate branches of the animal kingdom.
2. Respiration
Eels breathe through gills, just like other fish, and they live primarily in water. Some eels can survive out of water for short periods in moist environments, but they still depend on gills for oxygen. Snakes, on the other hand, have lungs and breathe air. They are adapted to terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments, but they always use lungs to breathe.
3. Skin and Scales
While both creatures have skin that may be covered in scales, there are differences. Eels usually have slimy, smooth skin with small or embedded scales, helping them move through water. Snake scales are more prominent, dry, and arranged to aid in movement on land or other surfaces. They do not have the same mucous layer that eels do.
4. Limbs and Evolution
Snakes evolved from four-limbed reptiles and lost their limbs over time. Eels, however, never had limbs to begin with, as they evolved from ancient fish. Their fin structure (especially the dorsal and anal fins) also shows they are aquatic animals. Snakes show remnants of pelvic bones in some species, hinting at their limb-bearing ancestors.
5. Reproduction
Most eels reproduce by spawning in water, and their larvae go through a long, complex migration (as seen in freshwater eels like the American or European eel). Snake reproduction varies; some lay eggs, while others give birth to live young. Snakes do not have a larval stage like eels.
6. Habitat and Behavior
Eels live almost entirely in aquatic environments—rivers, oceans, and lakes. Some migrate between fresh and saltwater. Snakes are more diverse in habitat; while some are aquatic, many live in forests, deserts, grasslands, and even urban areas.
Conclusion
Eels and snakes may look alike at first, but they are fundamentally different creatures. Eels are fish, breathing through gills and adapted for life in water, while snakes are reptiles, air-breathing, and descended from limbed ancestors. Their similarities are an example of convergent evolution, where unrelated species develop similar features due to similar environments or lifestyles. So, while an eel might look like a snake of the sea, it’s definitely not a snake.
