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[[Image:718035.jpg|300px|thumb|right|©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved.]]

[[Image:718035.jpg|300px|thumb|right|©RVC and its licensors, Peer Zwart and Fredric Frye. All rights reserved.]]

Reptile skin functions to protect from physical trauma, desiccation, infection, osmotic damage and extremes of temperature. There are several layers.  The dermis is mainly connective tissue but contains the pigment cells. The epidermis is characterised by scales that are covered with keratin. The size and shape of scales varies greatly among [[:Category:Snake Species|species]], for example the bushmaster has scales that are large with a dermal core or osteoderm while they may be partially overlapping and keeled in the rattlesnake. The smallest scales are seen in the [[Boidae|boids]] and worm snakes. The ventral scales (or scutes) are generally larger and thicker than the lateral and dorsal scales.  

Reptile skin functions to protect from physical trauma, desiccation, infection, osmotic damage and extremes of temperature. There are several layers.  The dermis is mainly connective tissue but contains the pigment cells. The epidermis is characterised by scales that are covered with keratin. The size and shape of scales varies greatly among [[:Category:Snake Species|species]], for example the bushmaster has scales that are large with a dermal core or osteoderm while they may be partially overlapping and keeled in the rattlesnake. The smallest scales are seen in the [[Boidae|boids]] and worm snakes. The ventral scales (or scutes) are generally larger and thicker than the lateral and dorsal scales.