Abstract
A unique specimen of gopher snake (Pituophis melanoleucus catenifer) lacking dorsal and lateral body scales was used to evaluate the physiological importance of reptilian scales. Its dorsal integument totally lacked the outer superficial dermal layer and possessed a keratin layer much thinner than that of normal scales. In tests of rates of pulmocutaneous water loss and heat transfer, no difference was observed between the scaleless animal and a normal individual of comparable age and size. These data cast doubts upon the assertions that scales are an adaptation to retard water loss or that their presence is significant in convective heat transfer.
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