A shed snake skin.
The fallen skins of snakes often arouse the curiosity of those who find them, but in reality all animals shed their skin. This is not obvious in mammals like humans, as it is an ongoing, unnoticed process in which dead cells are continually leaving. Reptiles, however, differ in that they shed periodically, and in the case of snakes, the entire skin is usually shed in one piece, a procedure that can be compared to removing a sock. This shedding serves a purpose: snakes replace their skins to allow growth and shed parasites along with the old skin.
A king snake.
As a snake grows, its skin stretches and wears away. It gets to a point where it can’t accommodate any more growth, so new skin grows underneath. Once this is complete, the old skin will be discarded, along with any parasites you may have picked up. The new skin retains the same patterns and colors as the old one.
Mechanism
Before the fall, the snake’s skin turns pale and dull, and the eyes take on a bluish-white hue. This is due to a layer of fluid building up between the old skin and the new skin underneath. During this time, captive snakes can become nervous and irritable, possibly because they cannot see properly until the old skin is removed from their heads. They usually do not eat in the days before the fall and tend to hide, as they are vulnerable in this period.
Snakes generally shed based on age.
Once the new skin has fully developed, the old skin is no longer firmly attached to the snake’s body and shedding can begin. Sometimes the reptile dives into the water just before. The snake usually helps the process by rubbing against something hard and rough, like a rock, and creating a tear in the surface, usually in the nose and mouth area. The snake continues to work on this tear until the skin comes off, inside out, whole.
Frequency
Snakes shed quite frequently, but the exact frequency depends on the species, the quantity and quality of the food it consumes, and most importantly, the age of the reptile. The average is two to four times a year, but young snakes, as they grow faster, can shed their skin every two weeks. However, by the time they reach adulthood, growth will have slowed and they may only grow twice a year.
Issues
Spilling doesn’t always go without incident, and sometimes things can go wrong. For example, if the air humidity is too low, the skin may be too dry to fall off. Old skin that remains attached can harbor parasites or be a breeding ground for disease. Additionally, if the skin on the tip of the tail does not shed properly, it can interrupt the snake’s blood flow over time and actually cause the tip of the tail to shed.
ID
When the old skin is removed, it does not look exactly like the one that was replaced. The skin appears almost transparent and, due to stretching, is longer than the snake’s. However, it can still be used by a specialist to identify the snake if the person who finds it in their backyard is concerned that it may have come from a venomous species. To be identified, the individual can collect as much of the skin as possible and bring it to a science museum, zoo, science center, or to an individual with in-depth knowledge of snakes. To preserve the snake skin during transportation, it must be placed in a protective container.