An unusual aesthetic, but not its tough-as-nails skin, which is copiously dotted with small bony plates that protect the aquatic creature from predators. Another common distinguishing mark: The white “eye” at the centre of the skin, which are calcium deposits.

While similar in appearance, alligator and crocodile skins differ in a couple of key ways. Derived from the American alligator, the former has more regular, squarish scales as compared to croc skin. Alligator skins also feature a prominent umbilical scar, a small triangular cluster of irregular scales.

The skin on the back of the ostrich where neck and body meet, this portion is called the crown, which is where the characteristic bumps of ostrich skin are found. While they look like the signs of an ostrich left out in the cold, those bumps are feather quill follicles.

Apart from the differences in scale shape, another way to tell if a skin is crocodile (and not alligator) is to watch out for tiny dots near the edges of each scale. These sensory pores enable crocodiles to detect changes in water pressure and capture their prey.

Their skins have small, rounded scales. Lizard skin offers a refined look.

 Slightly lifted scales – with elongated scales that contrast with smaller, rounded ones – give python skin its signature texture.