The skin of snakes is often a point of curiosity among those who observe them. Unlike many other animals, snakes shed their skin on a periodic basis. While other creatures may simply shed skin cells or hair, a snake actually rids itself of its skin in one continuous piece, a procedure that can be likened to removing a sock. This shedding is not without purpose. Snakes shed their skin to allow for growth, as well as to remove parasites along with their old skin.

Snakes shed their skin by brushing against something hard and rough, like a rock, and creating a rip in their skin. Usually, this rip is initiated in the nose and mouth area. A snake continues to work on this rip until it can shed its skin completely. Snakes shed their skin rather frequently. Many snakes shed more than once per year with some species shedding on a bi-monthly basis.

Snakes shed when they grow too big for their skin, comparable to the way humans outgrow clothing. Humans shed skin cells too. However, instead of losing skin cells as one continuous and noticeable piece, humans lose numerous, tiny skin cells each day. No one really notices this shedding, as human skin cells are small enough to escape observation.

Interestingly, snakes shed their old skin when their new skin is formed beneath it. The new skin has the same patterns and colors as the old skin that is ready for shedding. When the old skin is shed, however, it doesn’t look exactly the same as its replacement. It takes on a nearly transparent appearance.

Snakeskin shedding is not always without incident. It is possible for things to go wrong for the snake. For example, if snakes shed when the humidity in the air is too low, the skin can be too dry to shed. Portions of the old skin that remain attached can harbor parasites or provide a breeding ground for diseases. Furthermore, if the tip of the tail fails to shed correctly, it can cut off the snake’s blood flow over time and actually cause the end portion of the tail to come off.

It is possible to identify a snake by the skin it leaves behind. To do so, an individual would simply have to collect as much of the snakeskin as possible and take it to a science museum, a zoo, a science center, or an individual with in-depth knowledge of snakes. To preserve the snakeskin while in transit, it is best to place it in a protective container.