The First Shed Skin of Neonate Corn Snakes Is Chemically Different from Adult Shed Skins

Abstract

The first shed skins from the same clutch of neonate Corn Snakes (Elaphe gutatta gutatta) and the shed skin of conspecific adults were extracted sequentially with hexane, dichloromethane, and methanol. These solvents extracted more mass from neonate shed skins compared to adults. Gas chromatography of the hexane extract, after saponification of the lipids, showed that the percent of cholesterol was greater in shed skins from neonates, whereas many of the fatty acids were found in greater amounts from adults shed skins. These data show that the first shed skin of Corn Snakes is biochemically different from adults.