Snake Skin Roll

In humans, as well as most other animals, the shedding process occurs gradually, as individual flakes of skin are lost and then replaced by new cells. Snakes, however, shed all at once in a long and challenging process. Their skin is composed of two layers: the epidermis and the dermis. The epidermis is the outermost layer of the skin, consisting of scales. These scales are made from keratin, the same substance as fingernails, horns, and hair. They also contain small amounts of a dark brown or black substance called melanin to protect the lower layers of the skin from the harsh rays of the sun. The dermis, beneath the epidermis, consists mainly of connective tissue, pigment cells, collagen, and nerve fibers.