Scaled animals

Scales cover all or part of the bodies of many animals. Their structure and functions differ between groups, with roles that can include protection, movement or reducing water loss.

Which animals have scales?

Examples include snakes, lizards, crocodiles, alligators, iguanas, chameleons, monitor lizards, pythons, cobras and many fish, including sharks, tuna and piranhas.

Pangolins are an unusual mammal example. Their large, overlapping keratin scales differ from the scales of fish and reptiles.