What distinctly reptilian process involves shedding the old, outermost layer of skin for growth?
Answer
Ecdysis.
The process by which a rattlesnake sheds its entire outer layer of skin to allow for growth or to repair damage is called ecdysis. This cyclical sloughing of the old skin is a characteristic trait of reptiles. Amphibians do not undergo this wholesale shedding process in the same manner; their skin structure and renewal processes function differently due to their constant need for moisture and their reliance on skin for gas exchange.
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