A nature photographer named Shintaro Seki had a unique and rare encounter when he observed a striped snake in a rice paddy in Shiga Prefecture going through the molting process, a sight uncommon even among snakes in captivity. With the arrival of warmer weather, snakes have started coming out of hibernation and shedding their skin as they grow, a natural and necessary process for their health and development.
While encountering shed snake skin may not be unusual, witnessing the actual molting process is significantly more challenging as snakes seek out hidden and safer locations to go through this vulnerable stage. Seki, 51, noticed the striped snake with cloudy eyes, an indicator that it was ready to molt, due to fluid entering the gap between its old and new skin. He described the gradual process of the snake emerging from its old skin, starting with the cracking open of the tip of its nose and its eyes taking on a rounded appearance.
The entire molting process unfolded before Seki's eyes in about an hour, likened to turning a sock inside out, revealing the snake's luminous eyes and glossy body once it had shed its old skin. Seki, deeply moved by witnessing this rare occurrence, emphasized that such moments are not often visible, even in captivity. Striped snakes, native to Japan and found throughout the country, are part of the unique biodiversity present within Japan's ecosystems. Seki also advised caution when encountering a molting snake, urging people not to approach or touch them, as snakes are particularly sensitive and nervous during this delicate process, requiring gentle observation from a distance to ensure their safety and well-being.