What specific structural feature of the scales allows them to be counted in rows around the midbody, typically numbering between 29 and 37?
Answer
The scales are overlapping and arranged in consistent rows across the body surface.
The quantitative measurement of the scales on the Yellow-bellied Sea Snake is derived from their arrangement, which is described as uniform and overlapping across the entire body surface. The specific count, cited as being between 29 and 37 rows around the midbody, is made possible because these small, smooth scales are laid down in neat, continuous longitudinal rows. This regular arrangement is fundamental to the smooth, low-drag surface required for efficient movement through water.
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