Complete sloughed skin of adder (Vipera berus)

Periodically snakes and other animals shed their entire skins, in a process known as ecdysis (or sloughing, or moulting).

Moulting takes up to 14 days to complete. The inner surface of the old skin liquefies, which causes it to separate from the new skin beneath it. By rubbing its skin on hard objects the end nearest the head begins to peel back on itself, until the snake is able to crawl out of its skin, turning it inside-out like a sock.

Head end of moulted adder skin

The ocular scale, or ‘brille’, is discarded along with the rest of the skin. This is essential for maintaining the snake’s quality of vision.

Adder skin showing ocular scale detail

The visually striking process of renewal exhibited by these animals is one reason why serpents have historically been symbolic of healing and medicine in our culture.

Adder skin with side illumination

Snake skin is formed from the remarkably adaptable substance keratin. Some of its properties are best appreciated in close-up:

Backlit adder skin detail

Underside of adder skin showing transparent keratin scales

This particular skin was found on heathland, woven in amongst some dried grasses. We later stumbled across a stunning, newly sloughed, caramel-coloured female sunning herself nearby.

Related links:

• Dom Greves Photography: Adder Skin (Buy or license these images)