Watching this snake shed its skin is creepy and yet oddly satisfying
It is so oddly satisfying to watch, but so creepy at the same time.
Why do snakes shed their skin? Snakes shed their skin because they are growing! Snakes keep getting bigger and bigger for a long time, so they need to shed their skin to be able to grow bigger.
Sometimes parasites also attach to their old skin, so it is a good way to get rid of parasites. As a snake grows its skin becomes stretched.
Very different than a human, snakes skin does not grow as the animal grow, meaning it eventually reaches a point where no further growth is possible.
Did you know that all animals shed their skin? All animals in some way shape or form shed their skin to create room for more growth.
The process by which a reptile sheds its skin is called ecdysis. It is quite the process and can last from 9-14 days depending on the reptile.
Lizards shed their skin in a different way than snakes. Lizards shed their skin in pieces, but snakes will shed in one single piece in the right conditions.
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Reading through the comments on this video, a lot of people have been saying false information regarding helping a snake shed its skin, but thanks to one reader named Stuart Mitchell who has helped clear all of that up for everyone.
“Does it hurt the snake if you peel their skin off? Short answer, No. A lot of people tend to increase the humidity and add moisture to their skin to aid in peeling. Many owners will say that it helps a lot.
From the video you can easily tell that the peeled skin is soft and moistened because it does not break or crack. Does it harm their new skin? Again, No.
A snakes viv should have the correct UV lighting, the UV acts to heal the new skin quite rapidly. It feels good for the snake to shed off the old tight skin. The second clue is obviously if it hurt the snake than you would definitely know.”
Thanks Stuart for the clarifications!
Here are some videos of the snakes shedding their skin that are oddly satisfying to watch!
