Use close focus
Keep the entire animal visible while preserving fine body and pattern details.
Identifier category
Insect and Reptile Identifiers
Compare snakes, lizards, insects, spiders, butterflies, moths, bees, wasps, and beetles.
16focused tools
Choose the closest match
Tools in this topic
Insects & reptiles
Snake Identifier
Compare head shape, scale pattern, body color and bands, and other visible clues to find the most likely snake.
Insects & reptiles
Lizard Identifier
Compare head and snout, scale texture, limb and toe form, and other visible clues to find the most likely lizard.
Insects & reptiles
Insect Identifier
Compare body segments, wing form, antennae, and other visible clues to find the most likely insect.
Insects & reptiles
Spider Identifier
Compare body proportions, leg arrangement, eye region, and other visible clues to find the most likely spider.
Insects & reptiles
Butterfly Identifier
Compare wing shape, upper and lower wing pattern, antennae, and other visible clues to find the most likely butterfly.
Insects & reptiles
Moth Identifier
Compare wing posture, wing pattern, antennae, and other visible clues to find the most likely moth.
Insects & reptiles
Bee Identifier
Compare body hair, band pattern, face and antennae, and other visible clues to find the most likely bee.
Insects & reptiles
Wasp Identifier
Compare waist shape, face markings, wing position, and other visible clues to find the most likely wasp.
Insects & reptiles
Beetle Identifier
Compare elytra shape, antennae, body profile, and other visible clues to find the most likely beetle.
Insects & reptiles
Caterpillar Identifier
Compare body hairs or spines, stripe and spot pattern, head capsule, and other visible clues to find the most likely caterpillar.
Insects & reptiles
Ant Identifier
Compare body size, waist nodes, antennae, and other visible clues to find the most likely ant.
Insects & reptiles
Mosquito Identifier
Compare leg banding, thorax pattern, palps and proboscis, and other visible clues to find the most likely mosquito.
Insects & reptiles
Dragonfly Identifier
Compare wing pattern, eye placement, abdomen shape, and other visible clues to find the most likely dragonfly.
Insects & reptiles
Tick Identifier
Compare shield pattern, mouthparts, leg color, and other visible clues to find the most likely tick.
Insects & reptiles
Scorpion Identifier
Compare pincer proportions, tail segments, body color, and other visible clues to find the most likely scorpion.
Insects & reptiles
Household Pest Identifier
Compare body form, wing and antennae structure, droppings or damage, and other visible clues to find the most likely household pest.
How to choose
Start with the subject in the photo
Small animals often require close structural clues: antennae, wings, leg arrangement, scale pattern, body segmentation, and head shape.
Use a safe, sharp photo without touching unknown snakes, spiders, wasps, or other animals that may bite or sting.
Avoid handling
Photograph from a safe distance and do not disturb nests or colonies.
Check local species
Range and season can help separate close lookalikes.
More identifiers