Colin Varndell / Grass snake (Natrix natrix) Dorset, UK May

Cyril Ruoso / Giant Cockroach (Blaberidae) and hand, Pacaya Samiria National Park, Peru

Jabruson / Long-tailed Pangolin (Uromanis tetradactyla) unfurling itself from protective posture, close up of scales, Lokoue Bai. Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mark MacEwen / American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) close up of scutes / scales, Florida Everglades, Florida, USA.

Daniel Heuclin / Usambara bush Viper (Atheris ceratophora) captive from Tanzania, vulnerable species

Roland Seitre / Grand Cayman Blue Iguana (Cyclura lewisi), adult that has been reintroduced to the wild from captive breeding programme. Endangered species.

Sandesh Kadur / Large scaled pit viper (Trimeresurus macrolepis) head profile, water droplet below, Western Ghats, Southern India

Pete Oxford / Eastern indigo snake (Drymarchon couperi) The Orianne Indigo Snake Preserve, Telfair County, Georgia, USA, threatened species, captive

Linda Pitkin / 2020VISION / Brown trout (Salmo trutta), Ennerdale Valley, Lake District NP, Cumbria, England, UK, November 2011. Did you know? Trout scales have growth rings which you can read in the same way tree rings.

Jeff Rotman / Close-up of scales of the Yellowbar Angelfish (Pomacanthus maculosus). Red Sea, Egypt.

Linda Pitkin / 2020VISION / Brown Trout (Salmo trutta) in disused quarry, Jackdaw Quarry, Capernwray, Carnforth, Lancashire, UK, August. Did you know? Brown trout scales have growth rings like tree trunks.

Daniel Heuclin / Close up of skin of Rainbow boa (Epicrates cenchria cenchria) captive, from French Guiana