Catholicism has pretty much stated that the Genesis creation account is allegorical. The serpent talking to Eve was not an actual event, but a story.
Yet I see and hear often from Christians the statement that prior to the serpent being cursed, snakes had legs. Science and evolution may claim that this is so, but if the first eleven chapters of the Bible are allegorical, why cling to the idea that snakes once had legs? What do Catholic teachings say about this?
The concept of the question comes from reading this:
[3:14] Each of the three punishments (the snake, the woman, the man) has a double aspect, one affecting the individual and the other affecting a basic relationship. The snake previously stood upright, enjoyed a reputation for being shrewder than other creatures, and could converse with human beings as in vv. 1–5. It must now move on its belly, is more cursed than any creature, and inspires revulsion in human beings (v. 15). (Source: New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE), notes on Genesis chapter 3, as found at the website of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)