An unusual aesthetic, but not its tough-as-nails skin, which is

copiously dotted with small bony plates that protect the

aquatic creature from predators. Another common

distinguishing mark: The white “eye” at the centre

of the skin, which are calcium deposits.

Slightly lifted scales – with elongated scales that contrast with smaller, rounded ones – give python skin its signature texture.

While similar in appearance, alligator and crocodile skins differ in

a couple of key ways. Derived from the American alligator, the former has more regular, squarish scales as compared to

croc skin. Alligator skins also feature a prominent

small triangular cluster of irregular scales.

The skin on the ostrich’s back where neck and body meet, this portion is called the crown, which is where the characteristic bumps of ostrich skin are. While they look like the signs of

an ostrich left out in the cold, those bumps are feather follicles.

Apart from the differences in scale shape, another way to tell if a skin is crocodile (and not alligator) is to watch out for tiny dots near the edges of each scale. These sensory pores enable

crocodiles to detect changes in water pressure.

Their skins have small, rounded scales.

Lizard skin offers a refined look.