deviant art

Deviant Login
Buy ArtBuy T-Shirts & Gear Buy adCast Buy Premium Membership
Shop		  Join deviantART for FREE Take the Tour
[x]
Browse More Like This
Shop Similar Prints
This Print Not AvailableDownload Image
JPG, 960×640 more ▶

More from *melvynyeo

Featured in Groups:

Not currently featured in any groups.

Details

January 15, 2012
374 KB
960×640
Link
Thumb

Statistics

Comments: 14
Favourites: 49 [who?]


Views: 1,141 (5 today)
Downloads: 650 (0 today)
[x]
:iconmelvynyeo:
Looking at the eyes, i think it's about to molt.

The skin of a snake is covered in scales. Contrary to the popular notion of snakes being slimy because of possible confusion of snakes with worms, snakeskin has a smooth, dry texture. Most snakes use specialized belly scales to travel, gripping surfaces. The body scales may be smooth, keeled, or granular. The eyelids of a snake are transparent "spectacle" scales, which remain permanently closed, also known as brille.

The shedding of scales is called ecdysis (or in normal usage, molting or sloughing). In the case of snakes, the complete outer layer of skin is shed in one layer. Snake scales are not discrete, but extensions of the epidermis—hence they are not shed separately but as a complete outer layer during each molt, akin to a sock being turned inside out.

The shape and number of scales on the head, back, and belly are often characteristic and used for taxonomic purposes. Scales are named mainly according to their positions on the body. In "advanced" (Caenophidian) snakes, the broad belly scales and rows of dorsal scales correspond to the vertebrae, allowing scientists to count the vertebrae without dissection.
Eye scales visible during the molt of a Diamond Python.

Snakes' eyes are covered by their clear scales (the brille) rather than movable eyelids. Their eyes are always open, and for sleeping, the retina can be closed or the face buried among the folds of the body.

Molting serves a number of functions. Firstly, the old and worn skin is replaced; secondly, it helps get rid of parasites such as mites and ticks. Renewal of the skin by moulting is supposed to allow growth in some animals such as insects; however, this has been disputed in the case of snakes.

Molting occurs periodically throughout a snake's life. Before a molt, the snake stops eating and often hides or moves to a safe place. Just before shedding, the skin becomes dull and dry looking and the eyes become cloudy or blue-colored. The inner surface of the old skin liquefies. This causes the old skin to separate from the new skin beneath it. After a few days, the eyes clear and the snake "crawls" out of its old skin. The old skin breaks near the mouth and the snake wriggles out, aided by rubbing against rough surfaces. In many cases, the cast skin peels backward over the body from head to tail in one piece, like pulling a sock off inside-out. A new, larger, brighter layer of skin has formed underneath.

Source [link]
Add a Comment:
 
Preview   Add Comment
:iconlovedrawing1:
*LoveDrawing1 Feb 3, 2013  Hobbyist Traditional Artist
Its so cute :love:
Reply
:iconmelvynyeo:
*melvynyeo Feb 6, 2013
Thank you! :)
Reply
:iconlovedrawing1:
*LoveDrawing1 Feb 6, 2013  Hobbyist Traditional Artist
Np :)
Reply
:iconkyphoscoliosis:
*kyphoscoliosis Oct 24, 2012
Overwhelmingly darling :'D
Reply
:iconmelvynyeo:
*melvynyeo Oct 25, 2012
Thanks! :)
Reply
:iconprongs65:
~prongs65 May 6, 2012
i told my mom snakes where coddley!!!
Reply
:iconmelvynyeo:
*melvynyeo May 10, 2012
:)
Reply
:iconprongs65:
~prongs65 May 10, 2012
they are!
Reply
:iconkingovrats:
~KingOvRats Jan 16, 2012  Hobbyist Traditional Artist
Ah yea, my snake used to have exactly same eyes before molting:)
Reply
:iconmelvynyeo:
*melvynyeo Jan 17, 2012
:)
Reply
Add a Comment:
 
Preview   Add Comment
©2013 deviantART. All rights reserved
About Us | Contact Us | Developers | Careers | Site Tour | Help & FAQ Advertise | Premium Membership Etiquette | Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Copyright Policy