XII International Pigment Cell Conference: Part I

Natrix piscator like other snakes undergoes sloughing at regular intervals. The inter-sloughl period shows marked variations though is in general 20 days ; 2 days. Each inter-slough period may be divided into six stages. During each such cycle snakes show remarkable chanlges in the color of the body dorsally and the eye spectacles. These changes have a direct relationship with various stages of sloughing. On the basis of shape, size, and color four types of chromatophores have been identified in snake skin. Efforts have also been made to unravel the nature of the chromatophores usilng various histochemical techniques. The chromatophores in different stages of sloughing show significant variations in their distribution and dispersion of their pigment granules, imparting characteristic color to the body. Such changes in chromatophores are diagnostic in identifying the individual stage in Natrix piscator. The response of chromatophores during different stages of sloughing is significant and is discussed in relation to hormones influencing the sloughing cycle.