Shedding Skin — A Brand New Outfit

Unlike humans, whose skin grows with them, snake skin does NOT stretch! As a snake grows bigger, its old skin becomes too tight — like wearing clothes that are way too small. So snakes shed their entire skin in one piece! This process is called ECDYSIS. Young snakes shed every few weeks because they are growing fast. Adult snakes shed 4 to 6 times per year. Shedding also gets rid of parasites and heals small wounds. It is like getting a brand new outfit several times a year!