This Skin Tells us a Lot About the Snake Which Left It

This sloughed skin is that of a Coastal Carpet Python, easily the largest snake species that occurs in South East Queensland. The markings are a giveaway, but the high scale count also tells us it is not an Elapid (venomous snake). This slough was actually found very close by a female python that was soon to lay its eggs. Female snakes slough very soon before they lay their eggs, this allows them to be comfortable while incubating their clutch.

We are usually able to identify a snake or at least the family of snakes it belongs to by looking at the scale size and count. Snakes slough or shed their old layer of skin in one large piece, rather than in minute fragments like mammals do.

Learn more about the Carpet Python here

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