Scolecophidia - Cope , 1864 Anomalepididae - Taylor , 1939 Leptotyphlopidae - Stejneger , 1892 Typhlopidae - Merrem , 1820 A snake is an elongate reptile of the suborder Serpentes . Like all reptiles, snakes are covered in scales . All snakes are carnivorous and can be distinguished from legless lizards