What Are Reptile Scales Made Of?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. What are reptile scales made of?

The Big Idea

Reptile scales are made of keratin, the same tough stuff as your fingernails! The scales are thin, hard plates that cover the whole body like a suit of armor. They protect the reptile and help it live in dry places.

Tough Plates

Step one: build the plates. Keratin is a strong, hard material that the reptile's skin makes. The scales protect it from scrapes and rough ground.

Keep Water In

Step two: hold in water. Reptile scales help stop water from escaping through the skin. That helps lizards and snakes live in deserts and other dry places.

Overlap and Bend

Step three: stay flexible. Scales overlap and bend at the edges, so a reptile can still move easily. A snake sheds its old scale layer, often in one piece.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Each scale is a thin, hard plate. It is made of keratin, like your fingernails. The scales help keep water inside the body. A shed snake skin even keeps the shape of the eye covers.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Scales overlap a bit, like roof shingles. A snake's new skin grows underneath before the old skin comes off. A shed skin can look like a see-through snake. If you find a shed skin outdoors, ask a grown-up before you touch it.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! Tape rows of paper rectangles onto cardboard so they overlap like scales. Sprinkle a few water drops on top. Tilt the cardboard and watch the water. How do the overlapping edges help water run off?

Outro

Scales are keratin armor that bends. Science is amazing! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!