Why Does a Rattle Snake Shed Its Skin?

Rattlesnake habitat

A normal, healthy rattlesnake, like all reptiles, sheds its skin for one main reason and that is to accommodate growth. All snakes shed their outermost layer of skin, exposing a new, brightly colored skin underneath. The scientific term for shedding is ecdysis.

Growth

Rattlesnake

Since the skin of snakes doesn't grow, they must shed their older, tighter skin. Snakes don't stop growing until death, so they shed throughout their lives, although younger snakes shed more frequently than older ones. The new skin beneath is already formed, having the same patterns as the old skin.

Rattle

Rattlesnakes have an added component to their shedding and that is their rattle. Rob Carmichael of Lake Forest's Discovery Nature Center says that each time they shed, rattlesnakes get a new "button" as part of their rattle. The rattle is nothing more than loosely connected dead skin consisting of a very intricate design.

How Often

Adult rattlesnakes typically shed their skin one to three times a season. This number is influenced by conditions such as availability of food, humidity and general health of the snake.

Skin Removal

Snakes usually start to shed in their nose or mouth area. They need to rub against a rock or something hard to cause an initial rip in their skin.The skin then comes off in large pieces.

Help With Skin Removal

Sometimes skin will not shed easily due to lack of humidity. In captivity, owners can help snakes by soaking or misting the skin, raising the level of humidity, or providing a moisture box. In the wild, the snakes sometimes can't remove all of their skin, particularly in times of dry climate conditions.

Problems

It is critical for the snake to remove old skin, particularly near the head layer near the ocular scales. Old skin that accumulates around the snake's eyes can lead to blindness.

References

• Rob Carmichael; Curator of Wildlife Discovery Center at Elawa Farm; Lake Forest, Illinois
• San Diego Natural History Museum: Department of Herpetology

Resources

• Reptile Knowledge: Snake Shedding 101