The paper presents the experimental investigations and literature review of the frictional anisotropy of snakeskin-inspired patterns and their potential applicability for geotechnical applications. To this end, the ventral scale patterns of three snakes are selected and idealised, and continuum materials with the idealised patterns are 3D printed. Interface direct shear tests are conducted with these continuum materials and sand to understand the shear behaviour of the different snakeskin-inspired patterns with soil. Furthermore, Split Set rock bolt models are 3D printed with snakeskin-inspired surface corrugations to investigate the applicability of anisotropic frictional patterns for stabilising a weak rock mass. The results show that the snakeskin-inspired patterns exhibit significant frictional anisotropy when sheared against soil, and the behaviour of the patterns with soil depends on the topography of the patterns. Split Sets with snakeskin-inspired surface patterns mobilise higher insertion and pullout loads compared to a commercially available pattern and exhibit significant frictional anisotropy. The paper also includes a comprehensive review of the various studies undertaken worldwide regarding bio-inspired frictional anisotropy for various geotechnical engineering applications.