I agree with Dusty that keeping shed skins is a worthwhile endeavor.

I've kept shed skins for years, because of my interest in the integumentary system of snakes, the use of the skins to study the scalation, and also to help identify individuals.

I learned a few years ago that freezing skins isn't good for the DNA, so I don't keep skins in the freezer anymore, but in the crisper of my refrigerator. That keeps them fresh and keeps any bugs from getting to them.

A couple years ago I started writing folks, because of my interest in the Emory ratsnake group and it's taxonomy. I learned that some labs can use shed skins in DNA studies and hopefully I'll be able to contribute to some of those studies one of these days.

Good strand. Thanks to all for the input...

TC


>>*p.s. I think what you did with the shed skins is GREAT. I wish more breeders and herpers would participate in studies like that.
-----
Conserving reptiles by helping to protect habitat...
www.ratsnakehaven.com
www.scenicsantaritas.org

[ Show Entire Thread ]