Snakeskin, SEM

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Scales and skin of shed snakeskin, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). This is the shed skin from the head region of a royal python (Python regius), also known as a ball python. As the body of the snake grows, its skin does not, so, approximately every 4-6 weeks, a healthy adult snake will shed its skin. As well as being important for growth, skin shedding in a snake can help to remove harmful parasites. The scales are made from keratin and act to protect the snake from predators as well as provide an environmental shield. Magnification: x24 when printed at 10cm wide.

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Size: 3810px × 2638px
Location:
Photo credit: © ANNE E. WESTON/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No

Keywords: -, animal, ball, biological, biology, colored, electron, false-coloured, fauna, keratin, micrograph, microscopy, python, regius, reptile, royal, scale, scales, scanning, sem, shed, shedding, skin, snake, snakeskin, zoological, zoology