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. Snakes

 

Skin Shedding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . As a snake grows and due to wear and tear on the epidermis, the outer, dead layer of skin must be periodically shed. The cells that form the middle layer of the snake’s skin do not increase and grow at a uniform rate, but at irregular intervals (depending on age, climatic conditions, and availability of food, for example) a film of exudates is produced that separates the older outer layers from the younger ones beneath. The whole of the skin acquires an opaque appearance, colours become duller, and the sleekness associated with a normal, healthy snake is temporarily lost. The eye scale becomes affected and takes on a milky or bluish appearance. The snake becomes partially blind, will usually stop feeding, and may hide away. At such times many snakes are more irritable than usual and special care should be taken (especially with venomous species) to avoid the increased likelihood of bites. After a few days the eye clears again and the snake will seek out a rough surface on which it can rub its lips. It is at the lips that the old skin breaks free and can be turned inside out and pushed back over the head and body, somewhat in the manner of a lady removing her stocking. To facilitate the loosening of the skin, the snake will expand and contract its muscles in shivering waves and perhaps attempt to crawl over or between rough-surfaces.

In healthy snakes the skin should shed in a single piece. The cast skin is almost transparent and shows only a trace of the pigmentation. However, the scales can still easily be seen, and shed skin is often used to identify the presence of a species in a certain habitat.

Young snakes usually shed their skin a couple of days after birth or hatching and almost invariably before their first meal. A snake may shed up to ten times in its first year, when growth is rapid. This number is reduced each year as the rate of growth diminishes. Adult snakes usually shed no more than three or four times per year. An unhealthy snake may have difficulty in shedding its skin completely, which can cause further health problems.