Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Recently I heard from someone doing a reptile presentation that crocodiles do not have scales like other reptiles but are actually covered by skin. First time I heard this because last time I saw they looked like scales to me. Always read that they had scales covering their body.

Actually what is the real difference between skin and scales? We call snake skin "Skin" even though it is scales.

Probably sound like a dumbo asking this but if someone could give me an intelligent answer it would be much appreciated.

Thanks.

just like all other reptiles. There is skin which is covered with scales (or more accurately, "scutes". However, you can't get them confused with the scales of snakes. The scales on snakes are made from carotin (which is basically the same stuff that your fingernails are made from).

Hope that helps,

Chris
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Ok got my answer from Wikipedia.

"The skin is covered with non-overlapping scales composed of the protein keratin (the same protein that forms hoofs, skin, horns, feathers, hair, claws and nails in other tetrapods), which are shed individually. On the head the skin is actually fused to the bones of the skull. There are small plates of bone, called osteoderms or scutes, under the scales. Just like a tree, crocodile osteoderms have annual growth rings, and by counting them it is possible to tell their age. "