Temporary Blindness in Snakes

All animals shed. While most organisms are constantly sluffing off tiny pieces of skin, fur, scales or hair, snakes are unique in that they shed all of their scales at once. Shortly before shedding, all the scales take on a blue-grey tint. Since a snake's eye lens is simply a modified scale, it also turns grey and cloudy and effectively renders the snake blind until shedding is complete. Snakes will oftentimes stay more concealed during shedding as they are more vulnerable to predators. They are also more defensive and aggressive if encountered during this time.

Pictured is an Eastern Massasauga Rattlesnake (Sistrurus c. catenatus) in pre-shed condition (note the eye coloration). A common misconception about rattlesnakes is that their age equals the number of rattle segments present. Snakes shed multiple times a year and rattlesnakes gain a rattle segment upon each shed. Additionally, rattle segments are brittle and are easily broken off. Therefore this method of determining age is unreliable.

If you believe you have encountered an Eastern Massasauga, please contact WPC.

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