Once the skin is shed, the snake discards it and slithers ... them — particularly in species such as the eastern massasauga rattlesnake (Sistrurus catenatus) in the United States, Dallas said.

Snakes are vulnerable during the molting process and will seek safer, hidden places to shed their skin. Photographer Shintaro Seki, 51, was looking at a rice paddy when he found a striped snake ...

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