How Does a Snake Shed Its Skin?
As a snake grows, its skin doesn’t grow with it, so the snake has to shed its skin every now and then, and grow a new one. Some snakes shed once or twice a year; others shed as much as six times in one summer. As the time for shedding grows near, the snake’s outer layer of skin grows dull and colorless, while a new skin is formi
A snake sheds its skin from head to tail, with the skin usually coming off all in one piece. Here’s how it works: The snake rubs its nose against something rough. A rock, for instance. The rubbing starts a rip in the skin around the nose and the mouth — like popping the top button on a pair of blue jeans. The rough thing also holds the skin. The snake slithers forward and out of the skin, which ends up inside out. Included, even, are the see-through scales that cover the eyes of the snake. The process, which scientists call ecdysis, resembles when you take off a sock. Your foot is the snake. Your fingers are the rock. And the sock is the snake’s old skin. Hold the sock, pull out your foot and — voila! — discarded skin/sock. Surprise your mom! Throw dirty socks into the laundry hamper! Surprise her more! Throw an old snake skin in there! Domestically, Twig P.S. Skin-shedding frequency varies with age, species, etc., from once a month to once a year. Dear Subscriber: For details on North
