5 Animals With Scales
Fish and reptiles are the first scaly animals that come to mind, but they are not the only ones. In this article we will tell you about some of the species that have this type of ‘coverage’ on the skin.
What animals with scales are there?
Scales are the characteristic covering type in fish and reptiles, and are present all over the body. They serve to retain moisture, isolate from the external environment and protect against dangers both on land and in water.
It is worth noting that, in the case of birds, although most of their body is covered with feathers, they have scaly legs, which are made with keratin, the same compound as the beaks. Among the animals with scales we highlight:
1. Pangolin
It is the only mammal with scales in the world, and it lives in tropical areas of Africa and Asia, mainly Malaysia. The pangolin or manis –the photo that opens this article– has an appearance impossible to confuse; sometimes they are said to be walking pineapples or artichokes.
With a long tail, sharp claws, and a pointed, toothless snout, this animal can roll up onto its body into a ball. An interesting fact in relation to the scales is that when they are born, they are soft and as they grow they harden.
2. Crocodile
Like other reptiles, crocodiles are covered in large, hard scales that protect their thick skin; they form a kind of shield and follow regular rows and patterns. In addition, they can be reinforced with bone plates or osteoderms, especially on the back and neck. Some have very prominent, rough ridges covered in beta-keratin.
Crocodiles are ectothermic: they produce little heat on their own and rely on external sources to raise their body temperature. The scales, although they seem very thick, allow the heat from the sun’s rays or the warm waters of the swamps to pass through.
3. Butterfly
Did you know that butterflies are also one of the animals with scales that exist today? These are located on the wings and can be of different colors and shapes.
The wings are formed while the insect is still in the chrysalis, and the scales cover them to protect that delicate membrane full of veins. The structures are superimposed on each other and while they are sturdy, they are also light enough to allow flight.
4. Snake
Another of the most famous and feared animals with scales. Snakes are elongated carnivorous reptiles that descend from sauros, and their bodies are protected by a large natural barrier.
Most of the snakes use the scales located on the belly to move on the ground, between rocks or branches and tree trunks, and in the water. They have the peculiarity of making at least one complete change in their life. After this process, they ‘grow back’ another skin that is also scaly, and with the same pattern and color.
5. Shark
Of all the fish that exist, we have chosen the largest to talk about animals with scales. In this case, they are known as dermal denticles, made up of the same material as the teeth of vertebrates.
The shark has a cartilaginous skeleton – its body is not made of bone – and the skin acts as a ‘silencer’ in the sea, since it allows the water to be distributed inwards and reduce friction. This gives them greater speed and mobility without being discovered.
