2006-09-05 00:00:31 · 1 answers · asked by noelmeracap 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Other - Science
They are protected a very little bit from attack. Not from other snakes or birds, but from ants, etc, that could feed on a skinless area like an open wound.
More so, they are protected from the fluid loss they'd suffer if they had the moist skin of an amphibian.
It protects them from abrasion (sand, rocks, etc).
It protects them from UV damage.
To the extent the scales are colored, it protects some snakes (gopher snake, rattlesnake, etc) by camouflaging it. Coloration protects some snakes (coral) by making them more obvious. Maybe also true of the cobra or maybe that "eye" pattern is to distract a predatory mongoose.
The specialized scales of the rattlesnake that form the rattle serve as a warning. It certainly preventing me from stepping on one once.
2006-09-05 07:44:13 · answer #1 · answered by David in Kenai 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋