Karung is water snake, and though the patterning looks similar to lizard to the untrained eye, the feel is very different. Snakeskin is "drapier" - more pliable- and has directionality or nap, since if you stoke it in one direction you are smoothing down the scales, and in the opposite direction you are lifting the scales. Lizard would feel smooth regardless of the direction in which you rub it. BV's hides are as pliable as I have ever felt, so that even croc or lizard are not the usual stiff skin that one expects for the reptile exotics. Karung (and all snake, I believe) is less expensive than reptile, but I love the skins for their absolute beauty - and they are not as sensitive to moisture and cracking as are the reptile. I find the two different, but one could substitued karung to get a lizard-like appearance... and because the scales are small, the lifting is not noticable like it is for python, and not as plastic appearing as anaconda. Karung is a beautiful, beautiful skin in its own right, IMO!