Rattlesnake Skin: Layers, Shedding & Composition - A Comprehensive Guide

Yes, rattlesnakes have layers of skin. Like all reptiles, rattlesnakes have scales that cover their bodies. These scales are made of keratin, the same protein that makes up human hair and nails. Rattlesnakes shed their skin as they grow, and the new skin that grows in is usually a slightly different color than the old skin. This is why some rattlesnakes appear to have different colored bands or stripes around their bodies.