ANIMALS / EVIDENCE FILE 01
Snakes naturally have a slimy coating on their scales.
Myth busted
Snakes have scales rather than a natural slimy coating. The scales on a snake's belly are dry.
The bit that matters
- A snake can become wet from its surroundings without having a natural slimy coating.
- Scale textures vary; not all snake scales are smooth.
Follow the evidence
Research and a separate source check inform this explanation. Keep the qualifications with the fact.
- How Do Snakes Move Without Legs? (opens in a new tab)
Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute · Retrieved 2026-10-16
The article identifies dry rather than slimy belly scales and explains that snake scales consist of keratin.
One discovery leads to another.
Claim version 1 · Evidence reviewed 16 October 2026 · No historical origin is asserted without evidence.