Elaborately shaped scales on the head of a Vine snake, Ahaetulla nasuta.

Snakes, like other reptiles have a skin covered in scales.^[1] Snakes are entirely covered with scales or scutes of various shapes and sizes. Scales protect the body of the snake, aid it in locomotion, allow moisture to be retained within, alter the surface characteristics such as roughness to aid in camoflage, and in some cases even aid in prey capture (such as Acrochordus). The simple or complex colouration patterns (which help in camouflage and anti-predator display) are a property of the underlying skin, but the folded nature of scaled skin allows bright skin to be concealed between scales then revealed in order to startle predators. Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 392 pixelsFull resolution (841 × 412 pixel, file size: 88 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Head of Ahaetulla nasuta Photograph by L. Shyamal, Wynaad 2006 File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that... Image File history File links Metadata Size of this preview: 800 × 392 pixelsFull resolution (841 × 412 pixel, file size: 88 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Head of Ahaetulla nasuta Photograph by L. Shyamal, Wynaad 2006 File historyClick on a date/time to view the file as it appeared at that... Binomial name Ahaetulla nasuta (Lacépède, 1789) Synonyms Dryophis nasuta The Green vine snake (Ahaetulla nasuta), is a slender green tree snake found in India (excluding the northwest; Maharashtra (Nasrapur, Mahabaleshwar, Koyna), Karnataka (Castle Rock), Bangladesh ?, Sri Lanka, Myanmar (= Burma), Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. ... Infraorders and Families Alethinophidia - Nopcsa, 1923 Acrochordidae- Bonaparte, 1831 Aniliidae - Stejneger, 1907 Anomochilidae - Cundall, Wallach & Rossman, 1993 Atractaspididae - Günther, 1858 Boidae - Gray, 1825 Bolyeriidae - Hoffstetter, 1946 Colubridae - Oppel, 1811 Cylindrophiidae - Fitzinger, 1843 Elapidae - F. Boie, 1827 Loxocemidae - Cope, 1861 Pythonidae - Fitzinger, 1826 Tropidophiidae - Brongersma, 1951 Uropeltidae - Müller, 1832... Reptilia redirects here. ... In this SEM image of a butterfly wing the scales are clearly visible, and the tiny platelets on each individual scale are just barely visible in the striping. ... A scute (Latin scutum, shield) is a horny, chitinous, or bony external plate or scale, as on the shell of a turtle or the underside of a snake. ... Synonyms Acrochordina - Bonaparte, 1831 Acrochordidae - Bonaparte, 1840 Acrochorniens - A.M.C. Duméril, 1853 Acrochordidae - Jan, 1863 Acrochordinae - Boulenger, 1893 Acrochordoidae - McDowell, 1975 Acrochordini - Dowling & Duellman, 1978[1] Acrochordus - Hornstedt, 1787 Chersydrus - Cuvier, 1817 Chersidrus - Oken, 1817 Acrochordus - Gray, 1825 Chersydreas - Gray, 1825 Chershydrus - Bonaparte, 1831 Verrucator - Schlegel, 1837 Chersydraeas...

Scales have been modified over time to serve other functions such as 'eyelash' fringes, and protective covers for the eyes^[2] with the most distinctive modification being the rattle of the North American rattlesnakes.

Snakes periodically moult their scaly skins and acquire new ones. This permits replacement of old worn out skin, disposal of parasites and is thought to allow the snake to grow. The arrangement of scales is used to identify snake species.

Snakes have been part and parcel of culture and religion. Vivid scale patterns have been thought to have influenced early art. The use of snake-skin in manufacture of purses, apparel and other articles led to large-scale killing of snakes, giving rise to advocacy for use of artificial snake-skin. Snake scales are also to be found as motifs in fiction, video games and films.

Functions of scales

Dorsal scales on the body of a Banded Krait Bungarus fasciatus

The scales of a snake primarily serve to reduce friction as it moves, since friction is the major source of energy loss in snake locomotion. The ventral (or belly) scales, which are large and oblong, are especially low-friction, and some arboreal species can use the edges to grip branches. Most snakes have at least some large scales (called 'shields') on their head, which can be used to distinguish different species. Image File history File links AB_053_Banded_Krait. ... Image File history File links AB_053_Banded_Krait. ... Binomial name Bungarus fasciatus Schneider, 1801 Bungarus fasciatus a venomous elapid snake species found in India and Southeast Asia. ...

Snake skin and scales help retain moisture in the animal's body.^[3]

Snakes pick up vibrations from both the air and the ground, and can differentiate the two, using a complex system of internal resonances (perhaps involving the scales) [1].

Morphology of scales

Keeled scales of Buff-striped keelback Amphiesma stolatum, a Colubrid.

Snake scales are formed by the differentiation of the snake's underlying skin or epidermis.[2] Each scale has an outer surface and an inner surface. The skin from the inner surface hinges back and forms a free area which overlaps the base of the next scale which emerges below this scale.^[4] Image File history File links Size of this preview: 747 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (962 × 772 pixel, file size: 507 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Please see the file description page for further information. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 747 × 599 pixelsFull resolution (962 × 772 pixel, file size: 507 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) Please see the file description page for further information. ... Binomial name Amphiesma stolatum Linnaeus, 1758 Synonyms Coluber stolatus Linnaeus, 1758 Elaps bilineatus Schneider, 1801 Natrix stolatus Merrem, 1820 Tropidonotus stolatus Boie, 1827 Rhabdophis stolatus Wall, 1921 The Buff Striped Keelback (Amphiesma stolatum) is a common species of non-venomous colubrid snake found across Asia. ... Look up Epidermis in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

A snake hatches with a fixed number of scales. The scales do not increase in number as the snake matures nor are do they reduce in number over time. The scales however grow larger in size and may change shape with each moult.^[5] In animals, moulting (Commonwealth English) or molting (American English) is the routine shedding off old feathers in birds, or of old skin in reptiles, or of old hairs in mammals (see also coat (dog)). In arthropods, such as insects, arachnids and crustaceans, moulting describes the shedding of its exoskeleton (which...

Snakes have smaller scales around the mouth and sides of the body which allow expansion so that a snake can consume prey of much larger width than itself.

Snake scales are made of keratin, the same material that hair and fingernails are made of.^[5] They are cool and dry to touch.^[6] Not to be confused with kerogen or carotene. ...

Surface and shape

Snake scales are of different shapes and sizes. Snake scales may be granular, have a smooth surface or have a longitudinal ridge or keel on it. Often, snake scales have pits, tubercles and other fine structures which may be visible to the naked eye or under a microscope. Snake scales may be modified to form fringes, as in the case of the Eyelash Bush Viper, Atheris ceratophora, or rattles as in the case of the rattlesnakes of North America.^[7] Binomial name Atheris ceratophora Werner, 1895 Synonyms Atheris ceratophora - Werner, 1895 Atheris ceratophorus - Boulenger, 1896 Atheris ceratophora - Broadley, 1996[1] Common names: Usambara bush viper,[2] horned bush viper,[3] eyelash bush viper,[4] more. ... Species 27 species; see list of rattlesnake species and subspecies. ... North America North America is a continent[1] in the Earths northern hemisphere and (chiefly) western hemisphere. ...

Certain primitive snakes such as boas, pythons and certain advanced snakes such as vipers have small scales arranged irregularly on the head. Other more advanced snakes have special large symmetrical scales on the head called shields or plates.^[4] This article is about the Korean pop singer. ... Synonyms Pythonoidea - Fitzinger, 1826 Pythonoidei - Eichwald, 1831 Holodonta - Müller, 1832 Pythonina - Bonaparte, 1840 Pythophes - Fitzinger, 1843 Pythoniens - A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1844 Holodontes - A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1844 Pythonides - A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1844 Pythones - Cope, 1861 Pythonidae - Cope, 1864 Peropodes - Meyer, 1874... A viper is a venomous snake belonging to the Viperidae family. ...

Snake scales occur in variety of shapes. They may be :

Cycloid scales on Leptotyphlops humilis.

• cycloid as in family Typhlopidae.^[8]
• long and pointed with pointed tips, as in the case of the Green Vine Snake Ahaetulla nasuta.^[9]
• broad and leaf-like, as in the case of green pit vipers Trimeresurus spp.^[9]
• as broad as they are long, for example, as in Rat snake Ptyas mucosus.^[9]
• keeled weakly or strongly as in the case of the Buff-striped keelback Amphiesma stolatum.^[9]
• with bidentate tips as in some spp of Natrix.^[9]
• spinelike, juxtaposed as in the Short Seasnake Lapemis curtus.^[4]
• large, non-overlapping knobs as in the case of the Javan Mudsnake Xenodermis javanicus.^[4]

Another example of differentiation of snake scales is a transparent scale called the brille or spectacle which covers the eye of the snake. The brille is often referred to as a fused eyelid. It is shed as part of the old skin during moulting.^[2] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Binomial name (Baird & Girard, 1853) Synonyms Rena humilis - Baird & Girard, 1853 Stenostoma humile - Cope, 1875 Rena humilis - Cope, 1887 Glauconia humilis - Boulenger, 1893 Siagonodon humilis - Van Denburgh, 1897 Leptotyphlops humilis - Ruthven, 1907 L[eptotyphlops]. h[umilis]. humilis - Klauber, 1931 Leptotyphlops humilis humilis - H.M. Smith & Taylor, 1945 Leptotyphlops chumilis - Rhodes... Genera Acutotyphlops Cyclotyphlops Ramphotyphlops Rhinotyphlops Typhlops Xenotyphlops TYPHLOPIDAE (blind snakes) This family contains 240 species in 3 genera. ... Binomial name Ahaetulla nasuta (Lacépède, 1789) Synonyms Dryophis nasuta The Green vine snake (Ahaetulla nasuta), is a slender green tree snake found in India (excluding the northwest; Maharashtra (Nasrapur, Mahabaleshwar, Koyna), Karnataka (Castle Rock), Bangladesh ?, Sri Lanka, Myanmar (= Burma), Thailand, Cambodia and Vietnam. ... Trimeresurus is a genus of venomous pit vipers commonly known as bamboo vipers. ... Binomial name Ptyas mucosus (Linnaeus, 1758) Synonyms Ptyas mucosa Scale pattern Dhaman or Oriental Ratsnake Ptyas mucosus is a species of snake. ... Keeled scales refer to scales (on snakes, at least) that, rather than being smooth, have a ridge down the center. ... Binomial name Amphiesma stolatum Linnaeus, 1758 Synonyms Coluber stolatus Linnaeus, 1758 Elaps bilineatus Schneider, 1801 Natrix stolatus Merrem, 1820 Tropidonotus stolatus Boie, 1827 Rhabdophis stolatus Wall, 1921 The Buff Striped Keelback (Amphiesma stolatum) is a common species of non-venomous colubrid snake found across Asia. ... Binomial name Natrix natrix Linnaeus, 1758 The Grass Snake, sometimes called the Ringed Snake or Water Snake (Natrix natrix) is a European non-venomous snake. ... Binomial name Lapemis curtus (Shaw, 1802) The Shaws Sea Snake Lapemis curtus is a species of sea snake. ... Binomial name (Reinhardt) Javan mudsnake Xenodermis javanicus is a Colubrid snake found in South East Asia. ... // Look up scale in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ... In animals, moulting (Commonwealth English) or molting (American English) is the routine shedding off old feathers in birds, or of old skin in reptiles, or of old hairs in mammals (see also coat (dog)). In arthropods, such as insects, arachnids and crustaceans, moulting describes the shedding of its exoskeleton (which...

Rattles

Modified tail scales form a rattle on a Western Diamondback Rattlesnake Crotalus atrox.

The most distinctive modification of the snake scale is the rattle of rattlesnakes, such as those of the genera Crotalus and Sistrurus. The rattle is made up of a series of loosely linked, interlocking chambers that when shaken, vibrate against one another to create the warning signal of a rattlesnake. Only the bottom button is firmly attached to the tip of the tail.^[10] Download high resolution version (945x945, 271 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Download high resolution version (945x945, 271 KB) Wikipedia does not have an article with this exact name. ... Binomial name Baird & Girard, 1853 Synonyms Crotalus cinereous - Le Conte In Hallowell, 1852 Crotalus atrox - Baird & Girard, 1853 Crotalus adamanteus var. ... Species about 30 Rattlesnakes is a group of venomous New World snakes, genera Crotalus and Sistrurus, which have a small noise-making jointed rattle on their tails. ... Synonyms Crotalus - Linnaeus, 1758 Crotalophorus - Houttuyn, 1764 Caudisona - Laurenti, 1768 Crotalinus - Rafinesque, 1815 Crotalurus - Rafinesque, 1820 Crotulurus - Rafinesque, 1820 Uropsophus - Wagler, 1830 Urocrotalon - Fitzinger, 1843 Aploaspis - Cope, 1867 Aechmophrys - Coues In Wheeler, 1875 Haploaspis - Cope, 1883 Paracrotalus - Reuss, 1930[1] Common names: rattlesnakes. ... Synonyms Crotalophorus - Gray, 1825 Caudisona - Fitzinger, 1826 Sistrurus - Garman, 1884[1] Common names: massasaugas, pigmy rattlesnakes. ...

At birth, a rattlesnake hatchling has only a small button or 'primordial rattle' which is firmly attached to the tip of the tail.^[10] The first segment is added when the hatchling sheds its skin for the first time.^[11] A new section is added each time the skin is shed until a rattle is formed. The rattle grows as the snake ages but segments are also prone to breaking off and hence the length of a rattle is not a reliable indicator of the age of a snake.^[12]

Colour

Scales, more specifically, mostly consist of hard beta keratins which are basically transparent. The colours of the scale are due to pigments in the inner layers of the skin and not due to the scale material itself. Scales are hued for all colours in this manner except for blue and green. Blue is caused by the ultrastructure of the scales. By itself, such a scale surface diffracts light and gives a blue hue, while, in combination with yellow from the inner skin it gives a beautiful iridescent green. Not to be confused with kerogen or carotene. ... Ultrastructure is the detailed structure of a biological specimen, such as a cell, tissue, or organ, that can be by electron microscopy. ...

Some snakes have the ability to change the hue of their scales slowly. This is typically seen in cases where the snake becomes lighter or darker with change in season. In some cases, this change may take place between day and night.^[5]

Ecdysis

A cascavel (Crotalus durissus), a species of rattlesnake, seen moulting.

The shedding of scales is called ecdysis, or, in normal usage moulting or sloughing. In the case of snakes, the complete outer layer of skin is shed in one layer.^[13] Snake scales are not discrete but extensions of the epidermis hence they are not shed separately, but are ejected as a complete contiguous outer layer of skin during each moult, akin to a sock being turned inside out.^[5] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Binomial name Crotalus durissus Linnaeus, 1758 Synonyms [Crotalus] Durissus - Linnaeus, 1758 Caudisona orientalis - Laurenti, 1768 Caudisona Gronovii - Laurenti, 1768 Crotalus orientalis - Gmelin, 1788 Crotalus simus - Latreille In Sonnini & Latrille, 1801 [Urocrotalon] durissus - Fitzinger, 1843 Uropsophus durissus - Gray, 1849 Caudisona durissa - Cope, 1861 Crotalus durissus - Boulenger, 1896 Crotalus pulvis - Ditmars, 1905... Ecdysis is the molting of the cuticula in arthropods and related groups (Ecdysozoa). ... In animals, moulting (Commonwealth English) or molting (American English) is the routine shedding off old feathers in birds, or of old skin in reptiles, or of old hairs in mammals (see also coat (dog)). In arthropods, such as insects, arachnids and crustaceans, moulting describes the shedding of its exoskeleton (which... In animals, moulting (Commonwealth English) or molting (American English) is the routine shedding off old feathers in birds, or of old skin in reptiles, or of old hairs in mammals (see also coat (dog)). In arthropods, such as insects, arachnids and crustaceans, moulting describes the shedding of its exoskeleton (which...

Moulting 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 view has been disputed in the case of snakes.^[5][14] In animals, moulting (Commonwealth English) or molting (American English) is the routine shedding off old feathers in birds, or of old skin in reptiles, or of old hairs in mammals (see also coat (dog)). In arthropods, such as insects, arachnids and crustaceans, moulting describes the shedding of its exoskeleton (which... In animals, moulting (Commonwealth English) or molting (American English) is the routine shedding off old feathers in birds, or of old skin in reptiles, or of old hairs in mammals (see also coat (dog)). In arthropods, such as insects, arachnids and crustaceans, moulting describes the shedding of its exoskeleton (which...

Moulting is repeated periodically throughout a snake's life. Before a moult, the snake stops eating and often hides or moves to a safe place. Just prior to shedding, the skin becomes dull and dry looking and the eyes become cloudy or blue-colored. The inner surface of the old outer skin liquefies. This causes the old outer skin to separate from the new inner skin. 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 an old sock. A new, larger, and brighter layer of skin has formed underneath.^[5][15]

An older snake may shed its skin only once or twice a year, but a younger, still-growing snake, may shed up to four times a year.^[15] The discarded skin gives a perfect imprint of the scale pattern and it is usually possible to identify the snake if this discard is reasonably complete and intact.^[5]

Nomenclature of scales (top view of head)

Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

Arrangement of scales

Excepting for the head, snakes have imbricate scales, overlapping like the tiles on a roof.^[16] Snakes have rows of scales along the whole or part of their length and also many other specialised scales, either singly or in pairs, occurring on the head and other regions of the body.

The dorsal (or body) scales on the snake's body are arranged in rows along the length of their bodies. Adjacent rows are diagonally offset from each other. Most snakes have an odd number of rows across the body though certain species have an even number of rows e.g. Zaocys spp.^[4] In the case of some aquatic and marine snakes, the scales are granular and the rows cannot be counted.^[16] This article lacks an appropriate taxobox. ...

The number of rows range from ten in Tiger Ratsnake Spilotes pullatus; thirteen in Dryocalamus, Liopeltis, Calamaria and Asian coral snakes of genus Calliophis; 65 to 75 in pythons; 74 to 93 in Kolpophis and 130 to 150 in Acrochordus. The majority of the largest family of snakes, the Colubridae have 15, 17 or 19 rows of scales.^[4][17] Binomial name Spilotes pullatus Linnaeus, 1758 Spilotes pullatus, the Tigre is a large (up to 3 m) snake found in southern Central America, northern South America and Trinidad and Tobago. ... Dryocalamus is a genus of colubrid snakes. ... Species Liopeltis calamaria Liopeltis frenatus Liopeltis rappi Liopeltis stoliczkae . ... Calamaria is a genus of snakes of family Colubridae. ... Calliophis is a genus of venomous elapid snakes known commonly as oriental coral snakes or Asian coral snakes. ... Synonyms Pythonoidea - Fitzinger, 1826 Pythonoidei - Eichwald, 1831 Holodonta - Müller, 1832 Pythonina - Bonaparte, 1840 Pythophes - Fitzinger, 1843 Pythoniens - A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1844 Holodontes - A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1844 Pythonides - A.M.C. Duméril & Bibron, 1844 Pythones - Cope, 1861 Pythonidae - Cope, 1864 Peropodes - Meyer, 1874... Kolpophis is a genus of sea snakes of the family Hydrophiidae. ... Synonyms Acrochordina - Bonaparte, 1831 Acrochordidae - Bonaparte, 1840 Acrochorniens - A.M.C. Duméril, 1853 Acrochordidae - Jan, 1863 Acrochordinae - Boulenger, 1893 Acrochordoidae - McDowell, 1975 Acrochordini - Dowling & Duellman, 1978[1] Acrochordus - Hornstedt, 1787 Chersydrus - Cuvier, 1817 Chersidrus - Oken, 1817 Acrochordus - Gray, 1825 Chersydreas - Gray, 1825 Chershydrus - Bonaparte, 1831 Verrucator - Schlegel, 1837 Chersydraeas... Genera According to ITIS: Adelophis Adelphicos Alsophis Amastridium Arizona Arrhyton Atractus Bogertophis Boiga Carphophis Cemophora Cerberus Chersodromus Chilomeniscus Chionactis Clelia Clonophis Coluber Coniophanes Conophis Conopsis Contia Cryophis Dendrelaphis Dendrophidion Diadophis Dipsas Dryadophis Drymarchon Drymobius Elaphe Enulius Eridiphas Erythrolamprus Farancia Ficimia Geagras Geophis Gyalopion Heterodon Hypsiglena Imantodes Lampropeltis Leptodeira Leptophis Liochlorophis...

The maximum number of rows are in mid-body and they reduce in count towards the head and on the tail.

Nomenclature of scales

The various scales on a snake's head and body are indicated in the following paragraphs with annotated photographs of Buff-striped Keelback Amphiesma stolata (a common grass-snake of South Asia). Binomial name Amphiesma stolatum Linnaeus, 1758 Synonyms Coluber stolatus Linnaeus, 1758 Elaps bilineatus Schneider, 1801 Natrix stolatus Merrem, 1820 Tropidonotus stolatus Boie, 1827 Rhabdophis stolatus Wall, 1921 The Buff Striped Keelback (Amphiesma stolatum) is a common species of non-venomous colubrid snake found across Asia. ...

Head scales

Nomenclature of scales (underside view of head)

Identification of scales is most conveniently begun with reference to the nostril which is easily identified on the snake. There are two scales enclosing the nostril which are called the nasals. The outer nasal (near the snout) is called the prenasal while the inner nasal (near the eye) is called the postnasal. Along the top of the snout connecting the nasals on both sides of the head are scales called internasals. Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

Between the two prenasals is a scale at the tip of the snout called the rostral scale.

The scales around the eye are called circumorbital scales and are named as 'ocular' scales but with appropriate prefix. The ocular scale proper is a transparent scale covering the eye which is called the spectacle, brille or eyecap.^[5][18]. The brille (also called the ocular scale, eye cap or spectacle) is the layer of transparent, immovable disc-shaped skin or scale covering the eyes of some animals for protection, especially in animals without eyelids. ...

The circumorbital scales towards the snout or the front are called preocular scales, those towards the rear are called postocular scales and those towards the upper or dorsal side are called as supraocular scales. Circumorbital scales towards the ventral or lower side, if any, are called as subocular scales.

Between the preocular and the postnasal scales are the loreal scales.

The scales along the lips of the snake are called as labials. Those on the upper lip are called supralabials while those on the lower labial are called infralabials.

Between the eyeballs on top of the head, adjacent to the supraoculars are the frontal scales. The prefrontal scales are the scales connected to the frontals towards the tip of the snout which are in contact with the internasals.

The back of the top of the head has scales connected to the frontal scales called as the parietal scales. At the sides of the back of the head are scales called temporal scales.

On the underside of the head, a snake has an anterior scale called as the mental scale. Connected to the mental scales and all along the lower jaws are the infralabials. Along the lower jaw connected to infralabials are a pair of shields called the anterior chin shields. Next to the anterior chin shields, further back along the jaw are another pair of shields called the posterior chin shields.

Scales in the central or throat region, which are in contact with the first ventral scales of a snake's body and are flanked by the chin shields, are called gular scales. Amphiesma stolata In snakes, the ventral scales, or gastrosteges, are the enlarged scales that extend down the underside of the body[1] from the head to the anal plate. ... Chin shields on a Buff-striped Keelback Amphiesma stolata. ...

The mental groove is a longitudinal groove on the underside of the head between large, paired chin shields and smaller gular scales.

Scales on the body

Enlarged vertebral scales of Banded Krait Bungarus fasciatus

The scales on the body of the snake are called the dorsal or costal scales. Sometimes there is a special row of large scales along the top of the back of the snake, i.e, the uppermost row, called the vertebral scales. Image File history File links AB_053_Banded_Krait. ... Image File history File links AB_053_Banded_Krait. ... Binomial name Bungarus fasciatus Schneider, 1801 Bungarus fasciatus a venomous elapid snake species found in India and Southeast Asia. ...

The enlarged scales on the belly of the snake are called ventral scales or gastrosteges.

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. This article is in need of attention from an expert on the subject. ...

Tail scales

Nomenclature of scales (underside view of body)

At the end of the ventral scales of the snake is an anal plate which protects the opening to the cloaca (a shared opening for waste and reproductive material to pass) on the underside near the tail. This anal scale may be single or divided into a pair. The part of the body beyond the anal scale is considered to be the tail.^[10] Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ...

Sometimes snakes have enlarged scales, either single or paired, under the tail; these are called subcaudals or urosteges. These subcaudals may be smooth or keeled as in Bitis arietans somalica. The end of the tail may simply taper into a tip (as in the case of most snakes), it may form a spine (as in Acanthophis), end in a bony spur (as in Lachesis), a rattle (as in Crotalus), or a rudder as seen in many sea snakes. Trinomial name Bitis arietans somalica (Parker, 1949) Synonyms Bitis lachesis somalica - Parker, 1949 Bitis arietans somalica - Loveridge, 1957[1] Common name: Somali puff adder. ... Species Acanthophis antarcticus Acanthophis praelongus Acanthophis pyrrhus Acanthophis hawkei Acanthophis wellsei Acanthophis rugosus Acanthophis laevis Acanthophis is a genus of highly venomous elapid snakes. ... Lachesis is a genus of highly venomous pit vipers found in the remote, forested areas in Central and South America. ... Synonyms Crotalus - Linnaeus, 1758 Crotalophorus - Houttuyn, 1764 Caudisona - Laurenti, 1768 Crotalinus - Rafinesque, 1815 Crotalurus - Rafinesque, 1820 Crotulurus - Rafinesque, 1820 Uropsophus - Wagler, 1830 Urocrotalon - Fitzinger, 1843 Aploaspis - Cope, 1867 Aechmophrys - Coues In Wheeler, 1875 Haploaspis - Cope, 1883 Paracrotalus - Reuss, 1930[1] Common names: rattlesnakes. ...

Sources. Details for this section have been sourced from scale diagrams in Malcolm Smith.^[19] Details of scales of Buff-striped Keelback have been taken from Daniels.^[20]

Glossary of scales

Nomenclature of scales (side view of head)

A line diagram from G.A. Boulenger's Fauna of British India (1890)illustrating the terminology of shields on the head of a snake

• Scales on the head.
  • Rostral.
  • Nasorostral.
  • Nasal.
    • Prenasal.
    • Postnasal.
    • Supranasal.
    • Fronto-nasal.
  • Internasal.
  • Brille, spectacle, ocular scale, eyecap.
  • Circumorbital.
    • Preocular.
    • Postocular.
    • Supraocular.
    • Subocular.
  • Loreal.
  • Interorbital, Intersupraocular.
  • Frontal.
  • Prefrontal.
  • Parietal.
  • Occipital.
  • Interoccipital.
  • Temporal.
  • Labial.
    • Supralabial, Upper labial.
    • Sublabial, Infralabial, Lower labial.
  • Mental.
  • Chin shield.
    • Anterior chin shield.
    • Posterior chin shield.
    • Intergeneial.
  • Gular.
• Scales on the body.
  • Dorsal.
  • Vertabral.
  • Ventral, Gastrostege.
• Scales on the tail.
  • Anal.
  • Subcaudal, Urostege.

Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (960x584, 139 KB) Summary Scales on a snakes head. ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (960x584, 139 KB) Summary Scales on a snakes head. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 544 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (568 × 626 pixel, file size: 33 KB, MIME type: image/png) Ptyas scalation from G. A. Boulenger, Fauna of British India. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 544 × 600 pixelsFull resolution (568 × 626 pixel, file size: 33 KB, MIME type: image/png) Ptyas scalation from G. A. Boulenger, Fauna of British India. ... Echis carinatus sochureki The rostral scale, or rostral, in snakes and other scaled reptiles refers to the median plate on the tip of the snout that borders the mouth opening. ... In reptiles, the nasorostral is an enlarged and usually paired scale, just behind the rostral[1] (and in front of the nasal scale). ... In reptiles, the nasal scale refers to the scale that encloses the nostril. ... In reptiles, the nasal scale refers to the scale that encloses the nostril. ... In reptiles, the nasal scale refers to the scale that encloses the nostril. ... In reptiles, the nasal scale refers to the scale that encloses the nostril. ... In reptiles, the nasal scale refers to the scale that encloses the nostril. ... Nomenclature of scales (top view of head) In snakes, the ínternasal scales are those on top of the head between the scales that surround the nostrils. ... The brille (also called the ocular scale, eye cap or spectacle) is the layer of transparent, immovable disc-shaped skin or scale covering the eyes of some animals for protection, especially in animals without eyelids. ... Atheris ceratophora In scaled reptiles, the ocular scales are those forming the margin of the eye. ... Atheris ceratophora In scaled reptiles, the ocular scales are those forming the margin of the eye. ... Atheris ceratophora In scaled reptiles, the ocular scales are those forming the margin of the eye. ... Atheris ceratophora In scaled reptiles, the ocular scales are those forming the margin of the eye. ... Atheris ceratophora In scaled reptiles, the ocular scales are those forming the margin of the eye. ... Loreal scale refers to the scales of a snake which lie between the eye and the nostril of a snake. ... The interorbitals lie between the supraocular scales (marked red). ... Frontal scale refers to the scales of a snake which lie in the general region of the forehead of a snake, more sprecifically between the eyes and to the anterior of this area. ... Nomenclature of scales (top view of head) The prefrontal scale on a snake are the scales connected to the frontals towards the tip of the snout which are in contact with the internasals. ... Parietal scale refers to the scales of a snake which are on the head of the snake and are connected to the frontals towards the posterior. ... In reptiles, occipital scales are enlarged plates that lie directly behind the parietal scales. ... In reptiles, occipital scales are enlarged plates that lie directly behind the parietal scales. ... Nomenclature of scales (top view of head) In snakes, the temporal scales are those scales on the side of the head between the parietals and the supralabials, and behind the postoculars. ... Atheris ceratophora The labial scales are the scales of snakes and other scaled reptiles that border the mouth opening. ... Atheris ceratophora In reptiles, the supralabial scales, also called upper-labials, are those scales that border the mouth opening along the upper jaw. ... Atheris ceratophora In reptiles, the sublabial scales, also called lower-labials or infralabials, are those scales that border the mouth opening along the lower jaw. ... Echis carinatus sochureki The mental scale, or mental, in snakes and other scaled reptiles refers to the median plate on the tip of the lower jaw. ... Chin shields on a Buff-striped Keelback Amphiesma stolata. ... Chin shields on a Buff-striped Keelback Amphiesma stolata. ... Chin shields on a Buff-striped Keelback Amphiesma stolata. ... Chin shields on a Buff-striped Keelback Amphiesma stolata. ... Gular scales on a Buff-striped Keelback Amphiesma stolata. ... Dorsal scales on the body of a Banded Krait Bungarus fasciatus, an Elapid. ... Enlarged vertebral scales of Banded Krait Bungarus fasciatus Vertebral scales, in snakes, are large scales along the top of the back of the snake, i. ... Amphiesma stolata In snakes, the ventral scales, or gastrosteges, are the enlarged scales that extend down the underside of the body[1] from the head to the anal plate. ... Amphiesma stolata In snakes, the anal scale (or anal plate) is the scale just in front of and covering the cloacal opening. ... Amphiesma stolata In snakes, the subcaudal scales are the enlarged plates on the underside of the tail. ...

Other pertinent terms

• Canthus, or Canthus rostralis.
• Mental groove.

In snakes, the canthus, or canthus rostralis,[1] is the angle between the flat crown of the head and the side of the head between the eye and the snout. ... Mental groove indicated with its relationships to other scales Most snakes have a longitudinal groove on the underside of the head between large, paired chin shields and smaller gular scales. ...

Taxonomic importance

Scales do not play an important role in distinguishing between the families but are important at generic and specific level. There is an elaborate scheme of nomenclature of scales. Scales patterns, by way of scale surface or texture, pattern and colouration and the division of the anal plate, in combination with other morphological characteristics, are the principal means of classifying snakes down to species level.^[21] The hierarchy of scientific classification In biological classification, family (Latin: familia, plural familiae) is a rank, or a taxon in that rank. ... For other uses, see Genus (disambiguation). ... The hierarchy of scientific classification. ...

In certain areas in North America, where the diversity of snakes is not too large, easy keys based on simple identification of scales have been devised for the lay public to distinguish poisonous snakes from non-poisonous snakes.^{[22] [23]} In other places with large biodiversity, such as Myanmar, publications caution that venomous and non-venomous snakes cannot be easily distinguished apart without careful examination.^[24]

Identification of snakes by reference to scales seems an arcane art to the amateur naturalist because the nomenclature of snake scales seems esoteric and, more importantly, the snakes need to be caught and the head and body examined closely in hand for identification. The advent of high definition digital cameras means that images taken of snakes, if of appropriate definition and of the correct position, would show scales that can be examined, distinguished and counted without the need for catching and handling.

The scales patterning may also be used for individual identification in field studies. Clipping of specific scales to mark individual snakes is a popular approach to population estimation by mark and recapture techniques. Mark and recapture is a method commonly used in ecology to estimate population size and population vital rates (i. ...

Distinguishing between venomous and non-venomous snakes

Finding out whether a snake is venomous or not is correctly done by identification of the species of a snake with the help of experts, or in their absence, close examination of the snake and using authoritative references on the snakes of the particular geographical region to identify it. Scale patterns help indicate the species and from the references, it can be verified if the snake species is venomous or not. Wasp sting, with droplet of venom Venom (literally, poison of animal origin) is any of a variety of toxins used by animals, for the purpose of defense and hunting. ...

A point to note is that such identification requires a fair degree of knowledge about snakes, their taxonomy, snake-scale nomenclature as well as familiarity and access to authoritative scientific texts on snakes.

In certain regions, experts use presence or absence of certain scales to distinguish between non-venomous and venomous scales, with well-understood exceptions. For example, in relation to venomous snakes of Myanmar, the distribution of snakes permits the use of the presence or absence of loreal scales to distinguish between relatively harmless Colubrids and lethally venomous Elapids.^[24] Scales on a snakes head Loreal scale refers to the scales of a snake which lie between the eye and the nostril of a snake. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ... Wikipedia does not yet have an article with this exact name. ...

The rule of hand for this region is that the absence of a loreal scale between the nasal scale and pre-ocular scale indicates that the snake is an Elapid and hence lethal.^[24] In reptiles, the nasal scale refers to the scale that encloses the nostril. ... For the record label, see Brille Records. ...

Please note that this rule-of-hand applies to terrestrial venomous snakes only and that vipers are an exception since they cannot be so classified due to the large number of small scales on the head. Subsequently a further check is to be carried out in the case of identified Colubrids to exclude known poisonous members of their family such as Rhabdophis species.^[24]

In South Asia, it is advisable to kill the snake which has bitten a person and carry it along to the hospital for possible identification by medical staff using scale diagrams so that an informed decision can be taken them as to whether and which anti-venin is to be administered.

Banded Krait (Bungarus fasciatus), an Elapid, with no loreal scale between nasal and pre-ocular scales.

Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Binomial name Bungarus fasciatus Schneider, 1801 Bungarus fasciatus a venomous elapid snake species found in India and Southeast Asia. ... Genera Acanthophis - death adder Aspidelaps - shieldnose cobra Aspidomorphus - collared adder Austrelaps Boulengerina - water cobra Bungarus - Indian krait Cacophis - dwarf crowned snake Calliophis - Oriental coral snake Demansia - venomous whip snake Dendroaspis - mamba Denisonia - ornamental snake Drysdalia - Australian crown snake Echiopsis - bardick snake Elapognathus - little brown snake Elapsoidea - venomous garter snake Furina...

Cultural significance

Snakes have been a motif in human culture and religion and an object of dread and fascination all over the world. The vivid patterns of snake scales, such as the Gaboon Viper, both repel and fascinate the human mind. Such patterns have inspired dread and awe in humans from pre-historic times and these can be seen in the art prevalent to those times. Studies of fear imagery and psychological arousal indicate that snake scales are a vital component of snake imagery. Snake scales also appear to have affected Islamic art in the form of tessallated mosaic patterns which show great similarity to snake-scale patterns.^[25] Binomial name Bitis gabonica (Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854) Synonyms Echidna Gabonica - Duméril, Bibron & Duméril, 1854 Bitis gabonica - Boulenger, 1896 Cobra gabonica - Mertens, 1937 Bitis gabonica gabonica - Mertens, 1951 Bi[tis]. javonica - Suzuki & Iwanga, 1970 Bitis gabonica - Golay , 1993[1] Common names: gaboon viper, butterfly adder, forest...

Snakeskin, with its highly periodic cross-hatch or grid patterns, appeals to people's aesthetics and have been used to manufacture many leather articles including fashionable accessories.^[25] The use of snakeskin has however endangered snake populations^[26] and resulted in international restrictions in trade of certain snake species and populations in the form of CITES provisions.^[27] Animal lovers in many countries now propagate the use of artificial snakeskin instead, which are easily produced from embossed leather, patterned fabric, plastics and other materials.^[25]

Snake scales occur as a motif regularly in computer action games.^{[28] [29] [30] [31]}

A snake scale was portrayed as a clue in the 1982 film Blade Runner.^[32] This article is about the 1982 film. ...

Snake scales also figure in popular fiction, such as the Harry Potter series (desiccated Boomslang skin is used as a raw material for concocting the Polyjuice potion), and also in teen fiction.^[33] This article is about the Harry Potter series of novels. ... A variety of potions are discussed in the fictional Harry Potter series of novels by J. K. Rowling. ...

Cited references

Other references

External links

• San Diego Museum of Natural History Herpetology FAQ
• Are snakes slimy - Singapore Zoological Garden's Docent site
• Microscopic structure of smooth and keeled scales in snakes
• How to identify snakes - Kentucky snake identification. University of Kentucky
• Kentucky Snake Publication (pdf). University of Kentucky
• The Snakes of Indiana - The Centre for Reptile and Amphibian Conservation and Management, Indiana
• General Snake Information - Division of Wildlife, South Dakota
• Reptiles - Snake facts. Columbus Zoo & Aquarium.
• North Carolina State Wildlife Damage Notes - Snakes
• Pennsylvania State University - Wildlife Damage Control 15 (pdf)
• ZooPax Scales Part 3
• Species in Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) - accessed on 14 August 2006.
• The Endangered Species Handbook - Trade (chapter) Reptile Trade - Snakes and Lizards (section) - accessed on 15 August 2006.

See also

• Anatomical terms of location
• Canthus (snake)
• Keratin
• Moult
• Reptile
• Snake
• Scale (zoology)