Having a love for reptiles sometimes makes you wonder if you can keep certain species in the same tank. So it’s only natural for you to ask “Is it possible for snakes and lizards to live together?” Well, unfortunately, the answer to this question is not simple, as there are a lot of factors that need to be considered. However, in most cases, this will be a “hit-or-miss” situation. Let’s discuss below!

Is it possible for snakes and lizards to live together?

We have mentioned before that the answer to this question is not simplistic, because the compatibility of lizards and snakes will depend on a lot of factors, factors that include their lifestyle, brought-up, and more. The details are discussed below:

• You will have to look into the unique characteristics of your lizards and snakes. Some species of each of these animals are less violent, and more welcoming, while others may be extremely hostile and violent. This may require a lot of research to decide.
• It should be noted that even if you get the right species of lizards and snakes, they may still not be able to live together because they may have different needs, e.g., they may require different temperatures, habitats, and foods.
• If you take certain measures, you may be able to make a lizard and a snake live together. However, it will be quite a hit-and-miss situation. I mean, if there is the fear of a snake eating the lizard, you can reduce the chances by feeding it well. 
• Similarly, you can generate a lifestyle where they learn to live with each other. However, these things come with a lot of risks, and it may be better to do away with them.
• Lizards generally are “loner” animals. That means, they prefer to live alone and be by themselves. Thus, if you have another animal in their company, they may become a little uncomfortable, and as a result, they may become violent.
• Most snakes are venomous, while some of both may be venomous. On the other hand, all animals fight once in a while. If you consider these two points, it can be concluded that in most cases this is not going to end well.

Are there any similarities between snakes and lizards?

It should be noted that snakes and lizards both are reptiles. Since they belong to the same category, they have a lot of similarities that would include (but are not limited to):

They have Similar Sensory Organs

Sensory organs are particular organs (like the skin) that have sense receptors, and that aim to detect stimuli within their surroundings. Both snakes and lizards share some of these sensory organs like Jacobson’s organ or hemipenes. The Jacobson’s organs work by sensing chemicals in the air that can be of help to both the snakes and lizards in various ways.

Their Skin types are quite similar

Since both of these organisms are reptiles, they have similar skin. Reptiles tend to have a dry and scaly skin, and both the lizards and snakes are no exceptions to this. This scaly skin is basically made up of dead cells that need to be shed with time to make space for more of these. The new scaled skin comes from within them.

They are both cold-blooded animals

By cold-blooded here we do not mean like a “cold-blooded murderer”. This is a scientific term used for animals that have blood that changes its temperature according to the surrounding temperature. This characteristic helps these animals in various ways, but it can become a problem for them in extreme temperatures. This is why you cannot see lizards without water for long.

What are the differences between snakes and lizards?

While they are in the same category, they are of a different genus and species. For this reason, you may find a lot of characteristic and behavioral differences between them. Those are discussed as follows:

Most Lizards Have Legs While Snakes Don’t

The typical picture we have of snakes is a limbless animal that sways on the ground to move forward. This is generally true. While there are some lizards without legs, and similarly, some snakes with legs, generally it is the opposite case. In fact, lizards have limbs that enable them to run surprisingly fast, if it is compared to the size of their body.

Lizards May Live Close to Water, But Snakes Don’t

Snakes are usually found in drier environments like the deserts, savannahs, or some may even be in forests. On the other hand, lizards have a variety of habitats. Though there are lizards that live in deserts too, you will also find them (mostly) living in an aquatic environment like near ponds or fresh-water rivers.

Lizards Typically Feed on Pests, While Snakes Have A Variety

Considering their small size, lizards do not feed on big animals generally and do with small insects. This is why they thrive a lot in homes too. On the other hand, you will see a snake eat a lot of things. Lizards are also one of their prey. Along with that, snakes generally eat smaller mammals and some species eat even bigger mammals like humans.

Will snakes eat lizards if they live together?

We all know how dangerous snakes can be generally, but it would still be worth going into a little more detail regarding what dangers snakes pose to lizards if they live together:

• Most species of lizards are small, and they do not go for large animals even if they are large generally. For that reason, they do not pose a real threat to snakes.
• However, snakes are quite large as compared to lizards, and depending on their species, they may have a wide variety of dietary options. They eat many small animals and lizards are one of them.
• So yes, if you put a snake and lizard together the snake may eat it eventually.

Conclusion

From our discussion above, it must have become clear that it is not a very good idea to house a snake and lizard together. They are not like cats and dogs. However, if you still “have” to do this, then you will have to take a lot of precautions.