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Snake skins consist of overlapping scales of a hard, semi-transparent material called keratin. Snakes shed the outer layer of their skin as they outgrow the old one, and those that are not growing also shed, replacing their worn scales with a new, healthy skin. Some snakes shed every few weeks, others shed only about once a year. A new layer develops below the surface of the old skin. The snake begins the shedding process by rubbing its nose against rocks or other hard objects to start the separation of the old layer from its lips, and then crawls out of its old skin. The old skins are often found intact where they were abandoned.

It depends on the age of the snake in many cases. Older snakes shed their skin less often than younger snakes. An older snake may shed as few as two times per year whereas a younger snake may shed it's skin four times per year.
I cant speak about all snakes but my pet one seems to do it every 1 to 2 months it does vary but i got mine as a baby in 2008 so really mine is still young in snakes years. My snake is a Royal Python

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8y ago
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13y ago

It varies according to the snakes age, and species. For example - my hatchling corn-snakes are shedding every 8-10 weeks, as they're growing fast. My adult Burmese Pythons on the other hand only shed about once every 14 MONTHS.

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Q: How often do snakes shed their skins?
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Related questions

Do copperheads shed their skins?

ALL reptiles shed their skins... including Copperheads.


Which animals shed their skins?

reptiles(mostly snakes)


How often do copperheads shed their skins?

They don't shed.


Do cobras shed?

Yes, all snakes shed their skins. They do this to grow. It enables them to be renewed, the new scales are brighter.


Why snakes shed their skins and humans don't?

As snakes grow the skin doesn't grow with them, so they shed the skin because it no longer "fits" them. By shedding the skin they can get larger, and grow.


Which category of snakes usually shed skin?

ALL snakes shed their skins - their skin doesn't 'stretch' like ours does, so they have to discard the old skin when it gets too tight.


How do baby snakes grow?

They shed their skins - more frequently when they're young than when they're older.


How often do Black snakes shed their skin?

They shed 20 times a year


Why do cicada's shed there skin?

Cicadas shed their skin because they are insects. All insects shed their skin. It is called molting. An insect goes through several molts before it becomes an adult with wings. Cicadas simply climb trees and then shed their skins. They are easier to find. Not only do insects spread their skins but so do spiders and crabs. Some snakes shed their skins and some birds shed their feathers.


Why do venomous snakes often have colourful skins?

To warn predators that they are venomous.


Why do corn snakes shed their skins?

snakes shed because whenever you feed a snake it gets big in the stomoch and its like the skin just rips i dont know but my snake shed last night and it starts at the tail and some how they crawl through it and turn it inside out it was pretty cool so they shed so that they can grow.


Why dont monkeys shed their skin or do they?

We all shed our skins, monkies too, but not in one piece like snakes do. Rather it comes of in small flakes as new skin surfaces beneath it.