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snakes have dry, smooth skin, covered with a network of overlapping scales. Contrary to popular belief, it is not wet or slippery. The skin has many crucial functions: it provides locomotion, protects the body, retains moisture, aids in camouflage, warns predators (as in the case of a rattle) and sometimes even attracts prey. Their long, limbless bodies come in a variety of sizes and colors, but they all share the same feature: they shed their skin at regular intervals throughout the year.
In people, as in most other animals, this process of excretion occurs gradually, as individual villi are lost and then replaced by new cells. But snakes molt in a very different way: it happens all at once in a rather long and challenging process. Their skin is made up of two base layers: the soft, colorful dermis underneath and the hard, slightly translucent scales on top. These scales are made of keratin, the same substance as fingernails, horns and hair. They also contain small amounts of a dark brown or black substance called melanin to protect the lower layers of the skin from the harsh sun’s rays.
You may assume that the primary purpose of the scales is to provide protection against predators and threats, but the scales actually have a very important locomotive function. As the snake slides its body on the ground, the scales reduce the friction with the surface and thus save a lot of energy. This means that it is necessary to keep the weighbridge in excellent condition at all times in order to move efficiently. In the wild, inappropriate shed skin can be the difference between life and death.
Snakes shed the outermost layer of scales in a process called molting, molting, or molting. It is a common process in invertebrates as well as some vertebrates such as snakes. This article will cover some interesting facts about molting: why it occurs, how it works, and what you can do to keep a pet snake healthy while it goes through the process.
Why do snakes lose their skin?
There are three basic reasons why snakes molt or shed their skin. The first reason is to replace old skin cells that become worn and less effective over time; the shells need to be refreshed quite often to do their job. The second reason is that the moulting process also serves to remove dangerous parasites such as mites and ticks from the skin. The third reason (actually still disputed by scientists) is that this allows young snakes to grow larger with each transient molt. The number of scales remains fixed from the time of birth and throughout the snake’s life, but the scales themselves increase in size with age to accommodate a growing body.
Snakes only shed the top layer of skin and, of course, not the actual dermis. This is because only the scales wear out over time, while the dermis is largely protected. Rejection in this way appears to be an important evolutionary adaptation for some reptiles. The serpent’s closest living relation, the lizard, also sheds its skin by rubbing it against an object. While snakeskin generally comes off in one piece, lizard skin usually comes off in several pieces.
How does the excretion process work?
The molting process begins after the snake has acquired a new layer of skin, directly beneath the old keratin layer. The skin will open at the mouth and peel back along the body. Lubricant foam will form between the old and new layers of skin, allowing the snake to rub the old scales against a stone or other rough object.
The entire time between the start of the molt process and the end can take several days or weeks, leaving the snake somewhat vulnerable and exposed, so it must find a suitable place to hide. Once the process is complete, the snake will leave behind a white or brown-colored skin shell, but some species, such as the Australian water python, produce a rainbow-colored skin when light hits it at a certain angle. The discarded skin leaves such a perfect imprint of the scales that it is possible to determine the species by the skin alone.
The molting process is a very important yet challenging time in a snake’s life. If you currently own a pet snake (or are considering buying one), be sure to familiarize yourself with the visible signs that it is about to shed so you can learn what to do about it. At the very beginning of this important process, snake will normally stop eating and find a safe place to hide. You may not want to disturb your snake during this time as he can be a little more aggressive and defensive than usual. The eyes then become cloudy or blue because the eye cap (the scales above the eye) loosens. The skin will also appear discolored and hazy. At that point, the snake is ready to remove its old layer. Don’t worry about trying to feed it; snakes can go weeks without food.
How often do snakes lose their skin?
The frequency of molts depends on many factors, including the snake’s age, diet, environment and reproductive status. Of all these, age is arguably the most important factor. Younger snakes often lose their skin, perhaps once every few weeks, while adults may lose their skin only a few times a year. The species of the snake also plays an important role in the timing. For example, an adult ball python will tend to molt once every four to six weeks, while an adult rat snake will have only a few molts per year on average. Pregnant women also tend to shed more often; it’s actually a normal part of the pregnancy process sometimes. The snake also needs just the right amount of food and moisture to start shedding.
How do you prevent a pet snake from having molting problems?
Shedding is absolutely critical to the health of any snake. While incomplete shedding is one of the most common problems, there are a few things you can do to ensure a successful molt. First, you should always provide a hard surface, such as rock or driftwood, that it can rub against to loosen the skin. Sometimes, a little omitted water in which the snake soaking yourself will help to remove some of the dead skin that does not come off; also consider lightly misting the hose.
Second, the cage must have the right temperature and humidity (50 to 70% humidity is often sufficient); you may need to increase the humidity slightly if there are problems, but otherwise typical environmental conditions are fine.
Finally, owners should also take care not to touch a snake too much right before and during the process; they can be a little fragile to the touch an
d often feel stressed. Even very calm and like-minded snakes may not want to be touched during this time.
If your snake fails to shed its skin properly, it could be a sign of an infection, parasite, nutritional deficiency, or other medical condition. Talk to your vet to find out what’s going on.
Next one: New Study: Do Dolphins Pretend Their Vocal Skills?
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