Rare video: Snake trapped within its own skin while shedding!

New Delhi: One of the most widely known facts about snakes is that they shed their skin, which in scientific terms is called ecdysis, or normally referred to as moulting or sloughing.

During the shedding process, the complete outer layer of skin is shed in one complete layer, after which, the old and worn skin is replaced.

This is done to get rid of parasites and ticks and the shedding is like pulling a sock off your foot, since it comes off in one single smooth piece and not separately.

In Alice Springs Reptile Centre in Australia, however, a stimson's python unintentionally put itself in a very odd, uncomfortable position while going through the moulting process.

It actually ended up trapping itself in its skin. How? By shedding its skin within itself with its tail ending in its own mouth, which sort of gives the impression that it was trying to eat itself.

The video you're about to watch will end all your bewilderment, like it did ours. You can actually see the python moving inside its newly shed skin in a perfect circle!

Have a look!

(Video courtesy: Alice Springs Reptile Centre)