Reptiles are one of the six basic animal families, and belong to the biological class called Reptilia, which includes animals such as snakes, lizards, crocodiles, turtles, and many groups that have sadly gone extinct throughout the years. For example, in contrast to amphibians which lay soft shelled eggs like fish, the eggs of reptiles have a hard shell like the ones lain by birds. And while reptiles have skin like animals in other families, including humans and other mammals, unlike these creatures that are left exposed to elements such as UV rays, reptiles have built-in protection in the form of scales. When compared to human skin, the skin of a reptile is thin and fragile, unlike the skin of mammals which offers a thick, leathery dermal layer that offers protection. Because of this, snakes rely on their scales for protection for more than just exposure to UV rays from the sun.
A reptile’s scales also protect the animals from abrasions as they scurry across the ground, climb trees, or briefly dive beneath the surface of the water. Reptiles have had scales for millions of years as proved by fossils found all over the world. The scales of a reptile are similar to a human fingernail, and made from a hard substance known as keratin. Although reptilian scales come in a variety of shapes and sizes as well as a wide range of colors and textures, all scales go through a shedding process which allows the reptile to completely replace all the scales on its body. Younger reptiles shed their scales more frequently because they are still growing. Some shed as often as every four to six weeks or more.
If you have a reptile for a pet, you can ensure a healthy shed by making sure that there is the proper amount of light, the right temperature and humidity, and proper cage accessories. Make sure your reptile’s diet is rich in necessary nutrients and try to keep the stress level at the bare minimum by handling your pet less during this time than you normally would. For most reptiles that shed in patches at a time, the shedding process takes about three weeks’ total. You are using an out of date browser.
Beta-keratin or b-keratin is found in the epidermis (skin) of almost all reptiles. In lizards and snakes, however, both keratins form continuous layers, the alpha keratin lying below the beta keratin. The cornified part of the epidermis is strengthened by a stiff material, beta keratin, which is present in place of or in addition to pliable alpha keratin. In crocodiles and many turtles the outer scale surface consists of beta keratin only, while the hinge region contains alpha keratin. Structurally, scales are overlapping folds of skin with a hinge region and an outer surface, an inner surface, and a scale-specific arrangement that allows flexibility and protection.
The skin is often reinforced by bony plates beneath the superficial scales, and those plates may form a continuous protective armour. The coloration of reptile skin is produced by melanocytes in the epidermis and three types of chromatophores in the dermis: melanophores, xanthophores, and iridophores. The pattern may be fixed for camouflage, or chromatophores may provide for rapid colour change. Reptilian skin possesses glands, usually small, many holocrine; scent glands are present across groups, including chelonians and snakes.
In lizards and snakes, keratin layers are continuous, with alpha keratin beneath beta keratin, contributing to the formation of sturdy, protective scales. Beta-keratin is a critical component of the tough outer layer in many reptiles, especially the beta-keratin-dominated surfaces in crocodilian and turtle shells, while some scales show a combination of beta and alpha keratin. This structural arrangement supports not only protection but also flexibility, enabling movement and shedding across life stages.
Feathers in birds also rely on beta keratin, illustrating how keratin types are adapted to different integumentary needs across amniotes. The broader picture shows that keratin chemistry underpins multiple protective coverings across vertebrates, including reptilian scales and avian feathers, and that shedding is a common strategy to renew these protective surfaces. The presence of beta keratin in skin scales is a defining feature of many reptile groups, while some lineages may vary in keratin composition across different regions of the body.
Infographic suggestion: A labeled diagram showing beta keratin and alpha keratin layers in reptile scales, with arrows indicating shedding and growth zones.
Snake shedding skin | Reptiles for Kids | Snakeskin shed | science wildlife animals scales keratin
Video suggestion: Short animation illustrating how beta keratin and alpha keratin form layered scales and how shedding replaces old skins.
The Italian wall lizards mentioned in the draft exemplify how environmental factors and genetics may influence keratin expression and scale morphology in some populations. However, general principles remain: reptile scales are formed from keratin, and a shedding cycle replaces worn-out skin across growth stages. While beta keratin is a major constituent of many reptile scales, the precise distribution of keratin types can vary among families and body regions, with some outer surfaces enriched for beta keratin and hinge regions incorporating alpha keratin. This combination yields a protective, flexible armor that supports locomotion, moisture retention, and abrasion resistance.
In the broader context of herpetology, the keratin composition of scales is a key area of study for understanding adaptation, ecology, and evolution. The ongoing interplay between genetic regulation and environmental conditions shapes the appearance and integrity of reptile scales, while shedding ensures juveniles and adults maintain functional skin surfaces throughout life.
Thus, yes: lizards (like many other reptiles) have scales that are made from keratin, specifically a combination of beta keratin and alpha keratin in a layered structure. This keratin-based scale system provides protection, flexibility, and a pathway for renewal through shedding, enabling reptiles to thrive across diverse habitats and lifestyles.