Serpent vs. Snake: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A serpent is a symbolic or mythological representation of a snake, often with larger-than-life qualities, while a snake is a legless, slithering reptile in reality.
Key Differences
The word "serpent" often conveys mythical or symbolic significance, used in various cultural, religious, and literary contexts. A snake, in contrast, is a specific type of reptile known for its legless body and ability to slither.
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Nov 12, 2023
In many traditions, serpents represent wisdom, evil, or fertility, embodying complex meanings. Snakes are seen more as a part of natural wildlife, studied in biology and ecology.
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The image of the serpent is often associated with power and mystery in folklore and mythology. Snakes, however, are often perceived based on their species' characteristics, such as being venomous or non-venomous.
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Serpents are sometimes depicted as monstrous or divine creatures in legends and stories. Real snakes are diverse, ranging from tiny, harmless species to large constrictors like pythons and anacondas.
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The term "serpent" is used less frequently in scientific contexts, more in literature and art. Snake is the common and scientific term used in zoology and herpetology.
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Comparison Chart
Symbolism
Often carries mythological or symbolic meaning.
Typically viewed as a biological entity.
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Representation
Depicted as powerful, mystical, or divine.
Seen as a natural creature in the animal kingdom.
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Context of Use
Common in literature, art, and religion.
Used in scientific and everyday contexts.
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Perceived Characteristics
May be portrayed as monstrous or wise.
Characterized by species traits like venomous or constrictor.
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Frequency of Use
Less common, more in specific cultural contexts.
Widely used in reference to real animals.
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Serpent and Snake Definitions
Serpent
A mythical or symbolic snake, often with greater significance.
The ancient mural depicted a serpent coiled around a tree.
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Snake
A member of the suborder Serpentes, known for its slithering movement.
Snakes are fascinating creatures studied in herpetology.
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Serpent
A symbol used in art and literature for various metaphorical meanings.
The poet used the serpent as a metaphor for transformation.
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Snake
A reptile without limbs, often feared or revered.
He has a phobia of snakes.
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Serpent
An emblem of wisdom or healing in various cultures.
In mythology, the serpent often embodies knowledge.
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Snake
A symbol of danger or treachery in some cultures.
In some stories, a snake represents betrayal.
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Serpent
A creature in folklore and legends, sometimes with magical attributes.
Legends speak of a giant serpent guarding treasures.
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Serpent
A representation of evil or temptation in religious texts.
The serpent in the story symbolized deceit and trickery.
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Snake
Any of numerous scaly, legless, sometimes venomous squamate reptiles of the suborder Serpentes (or Ophidia), having a long, tapering, cylindrical body and flexible jaws.
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Serpent
Often Serpent In the Bible, the creature that tempted Eve, identified in Christian tradition with Satan.
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Snake
A long, highly flexible metal wire or coil used for cleaning drains. Also called plumber's snake.
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Serpent
(Music) A deep-voiced wind instrument of serpentine shape, used principally from the 1600s to the 1800s, about 2.5 meters (8 feet) in length and made of brass or wood.
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Snake
To move in a sinuous or gliding manner
Tried to snake the rope along the ledge.
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Snake
A legless reptile of the suborder Serpentes with a long, thin body and a fork-shaped tongue.
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Serpent
(musical instruments) An obsolete wind instrument in the brass family, whose shape is suggestive of a snake (Wikipedia article).
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Serpent
Any reptile of the order Ophidia; a snake, especially a large snake. See Illust. under Ophidia.
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Snake
(Australia) A flavoured jube (confectionary) in the shape of a snake.
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Serpent
A species of firework having a serpentine motion as it passess through the air or along the ground.
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Serpent
A bass wind instrument, of a loud and coarse tone, formerly much used in military bands, and sometimes introduced into the orchestra; - so called from its form.
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Snake
(intransitive) To follow or move in a winding route.
The path snaked through the forest.
The river snakes through the valley.
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Snake
(nautical) To wind round spirally, as a large rope with a smaller, or with cord, the small rope lying in the spaces between the strands of the large one; to worm.
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Snake
Any species of the order Ophidia; an ophidian; a serpent, whether harmless or venomous. See Ophidia, and Serpent.
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Snake
To wind round spirally, as a large rope with a smaller, or with cord, the small rope lying in the spaces between the strands of the large one; to worm.
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Snake
A tributary of the Columbia River that rises in Wyoming and flows westward; discovered in 1805 by the Lewis and Clark Expedition
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Snake
A long faint constellation in the southern hemisphere near the equator stretching between Virgo and Cancer
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Snake
A legless, elongated reptile.
We saw a snake slithering through the grass.
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Snake
An animal that can be venomous or non-venomous, found in various habitats.
The venomous snake posed a danger to hikers.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
Are serpents real animals?
Serpents are more symbolic or mythological than actual animals.
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What are the characteristics of a snake?
Snakes are characterized by their legless bodies and slithering movement.
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What is a serpent?
A serpent is often a mythical or symbolic representation of a snake.
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Do serpents always represent evil?
Serpents can symbolize various concepts, including evil, wisdom, or rebirth.
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Are snakes studied in zoology?
Yes, snakes are studied in the field of zoology, particularly herpetology.
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Can snakes be found worldwide?
Yes, snakes are found in various habitats around the world.
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Do serpents appear in religious texts?
Yes, serpents are often found in religious and mythological stories.
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Are all snakes dangerous?
No, not all snakes are dangerous; many are non-venomous and harmless.
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Is the term "serpent" used in science?
"Serpent" is less common in scientific contexts, more in cultural or literary settings.
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Can serpents be portrayed positively?
Yes, in some cultures, serpents are symbols of wisdom or healing.
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Are serpents always depicted as large creatures?
In mythology and art, serpents can be depicted as either large or normal-sized.
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Do snakes play a role in ecosystems?
Yes, snakes are important predators and play vital roles in ecosystems.
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Are snakes active at night?
Some snakes are nocturnal, while others are active during the day.
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Do serpents have a historical significance?
Yes, serpents have been significant in many historical and cultural contexts.
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Are serpents part of folklore?
Yes, serpents are prominent in many folk tales and legends.
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Is the serpent a common motif in art?
Yes, the serpent is a common and powerful motif in various art forms.
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How do snakes reproduce?
Snakes reproduce either by laying eggs or through live birth, depending on the species.
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What do snakes eat?
Snakes typically eat small animals like rodents, birds, or insects.
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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