27 Examples of Animals that Crawl (A to Z List +Pictures)

Animals that crawl include Alligator, Ant, Crab, Earthworm, and Oysters.

There are all sorts of animals in the world, and many of them crawl. Snakes, spiders, and worms are some of the most well-known creatures that move around on their bellies. But there are others that you might not know about.

The way an animal crawls is a key part of its biology. The snake’s long, flexible body has many joints along its sides that allow it to slither forward in S-shapes across the ground. Spiders have eight long legs that they use to walk and climb. Worms move by contracting their muscles, which pulls their body along the ground.

Each of these creatures has evolved special adaptations to help them crawl. The snake’s scales help it grip the ground, while spiders’ bristles let them cling to surfaces. Worms create a slime trail that helps them move forward, and they also have a tough outer layer to protect them from predators.

Examples of Animals that Crawl

1. Alligators

The alligator is a large, reptilian creature that is found in the swamps and marshes of the southeastern United States. These animals are well-adapted to life in water, and they can stay submerged for long periods of time.

Alligators also have webbed feet and a flat tail that helps them move through the water with ease. But what many people don’t know is that alligators can also crawl on land. When they are out of the water, alligators use their strong limbs and claws to move around.

2. Ants

The ant is a small, but a mighty creature that can be found all over the world. These insects are known for their hard work ethic and community-oriented lifestyle. Ants can crawl on just about any surface, thanks to their strong legs and adhesive pads on their feet. They use these skills to travel long distances and build elaborate nests.

3. Blind Shingles

The blind shingle is a tiny creature that lives in the deserts of South America. This animal has no eyes, and it does not see as most other creatures do. Instead, this animal uses its long antennae to sense where things are around it. Despite its lack of sight, the blind shingle can move very quickly across sandy surfaces.

4. Chameleons

The chameleon is a type of lizard that is native to Africa, Madagascar, and the Middle East. These animals are well-known for their ability to change colors in order to blend into their surroundings. But what many people don’t know about this fascinating creature is that it can also crawl on land.

Related Article: Do Chameleon Live in Trees?

5. Crabs

Crabs are crustaceans that live in the ocean. They have a hard exoskeleton, and they use their large claws to grab food and defend against predators. Crabs can also walk on land, and can run very fast out of the water.

Some crabs will come onto shore when there is high tide so that they can bury themselves in the sand and wait for low tide to return.

6. Crocodiles

The crocodile is another large, reptilian creature that is found in the tropics and subtropics of Africa, Asia, and Australia. Like alligators, crocodiles are well-adapted to life in water.

7. Earthworms

The earthworm is a slimy, segmented creature that lives in the soil. These animals are an important part of the food chain, and they help to break down dead plant material and recycle nutrients back into the soil. Earthworms can also move around on land by crawling.

8. Green Basilisk

The green basilisk is a small, lizard-like creature that is found in the rainforests of Central and South America. This animal is known for its amazing ability to run on water. The basilisk can run across the surface of ponds and rivers by using its webbed feet and long tail.

9. Gusarapa (Larva)

The gusarapa is a strange-looking larva insect that is found in the rainforests of South America. This animal has a long, slender body and a head that is covered in spikes.

10. Komodo Dragons

The Komodo dragon is the largest lizard in the world. These animals can weigh up to 150 pounds and measure over ten feet in length. Komodo dragons are found on a few islands in Indonesia, and they are known for their viciousness.

11. Land Snails

Land snails are a type of snail that can be found all over the world. These creatures have a soft, slimy body that is covered in a hard shell. Land snails move around by crawling on their bellies. They use their two muscular “feet” to push themselves along the ground.

12. Leatherback Turtle

The leatherback turtle is the largest sea turtle in the world. These animals can grow up to six feet long and weigh over a thousand pounds. Leatherbacks are unique among turtles because they lack a hard shell. Instead, their back is covered by a layer of tough skin.

This makes them very flexible and allows them to crawl on both land and sea. Leatherbacks are also unique in that they can generate their own body heat, which allows them to stay active in cold water.

13. Leeches

Leeches are small, segmented worms that live in watery environments. These creatures attach themselves to the skin of other animals and suck their blood. Leeches can be found all over the world, and they are most commonly found in freshwater habitats.

Although leeches are often thought of as pests, they also have some beneficial properties.

14. Lizards

Lizards are a type of reptile that has scales and breathes air. Most lizards live on land, but some can also swim in water or fly through the air.

Some species of lizard will spend their entire lives crawling around on the ground looking for food. Lizards have long bodies with short legs and claws that help them move over rough terrain.

15. Miñocas

The miñoca is a small, burrowing animal that is found in the forests of Chile and Argentina. These creatures have short limbs and a long, cylindrical body. They use their strong claws to dig tunnels in the ground, where they live, and hunt for food.

Miñocas can also crawl on the surface of the ground, but they are not very good at it. They prefer to stay underground where they are safe from predators.

16. Moths

Moths are closely related to butterflies, and they look quite similar. But moths have some unique characteristics that make them different from their winged cousins. For instance, many species of moth crawl along the ground instead of flying through the air.

These animals will often be found in forests or other places with lots of grass and plants for them to eat. Moths are also nocturnal, which means that they are active at night.

17. Nereises

The nereis is a type of marine worm that can be found in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. These worms are hermaphroditic, which means that they have both male and female reproductive organs.

Nereis move around by crawling on their many pairs of legs. They use these legs to cling to rocks and other objects in the water and move them forward in a crawling motion.

18. Oysters

You might not think of the oyster as an animal, but it is. Oysters are invertebrates that live in both fresh and saltwater. They have a hard shell made from calcium carbonate and two valves (or “leaves”) that protect their soft body inside.

The majority of their life is spent attached to rocks and other surfaces at the bottom of the ocean. But in order to find food, they will sometimes crawl along the seafloor using their foot.

19. Palolos

The Palolo worm is a marine invertebrate that can be found in the waters around Hawaii. These worms are segmented and have a bright green color. What makes Palolo worms unique is that they reproduce sexually twice a year. In October and November, the males and females come together to mate.

20. Python

The python is a large, non-venomous snake that is found in tropical regions all over the world. These animals are well-known for their long bodies and powerful jaws. Pythons are also proficient climbers, and they often spend time in trees or other elevated areas.

21. Razor Clam

The razor clam is a small, bivalve mollusk that can be found on the beaches of the Pacific Northwest. These animals are well-known for their sharp shell and for the fact that they can burrow into the sand very quickly.

Razor clams use their strong muscles to pull themselves through the sand, and they can move surprisingly fast.

Read Also: What Eats Clams?

22. Sea Slugs

Sea slugs are a type of marine slug that can be found in all the world’s oceans. These animals are characterized by their soft, slimy body and brightly-colored shells. Sea slugs move around by crawling on their tentacles. They can also use these tentacles to swim through the water with ease.

23. Sea Snails

Sea snails are small, slimy creatures that live in the ocean. They have a long, coiled shell and tentacles on their heads. Sea snails move around by crawling along the ocean floor using their tentacles for locomotion. These animals often get caught up in fishing nets because they cannot swim very fast to escape danger.

Read Also: Do Sea Snails Eat Kelp?

24. Sea Turtle

The sea turtle is a large aquatic reptile that lives in the ocean. It has a hard shell that protects its body from predators. Sea turtles are known for their swimming abilities, but they can also crawl on land using their flippers.

A female sea turtle will lay her eggs on sandy beaches before returning to the water.

25. Sloths

Sloths are some of the slowest crawlers in the world relative to size. They will

26. Snout Viper

The snout viper is a venomous snake that lives in the rainforests of South America. These snakes are brightly colored, and they have scales that create patterns on their bodies.

Snout vipers get their name from the fact that they have upturned snouts, which make them look like pigs. They use these snouts to help them find prey in the undergrowth of the forest. Snout vipers are also skilled climbers, and they can move through the trees with ease.

Read Also: What do Vipers Eat?

27. Terrestrial Slugs

There are over 20,000 different species of slugs in the world, and many of them are capable of crawling on land. Slugs are soft-bodied creatures that lack a shell. They move around by contracting the muscles in their body and sliding along on their slimy skin.

Some slugs can also crawl up walls and across ceilings. Terrestrial slugs are found in all parts of the world, and they come in a variety of shapes and sizes.

Garreth

Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.