Non-sidewinder skin (IMAGE) Emory Health Sciences Caption The Mexican lance-headed rattlesnake (Crotalus polystictus) moves by slithering forward. A micrograph from the study, above, of the skin of its belly reveals spikes that are normally invisible to the eye. The micrograph image shows a surface 20 microns wide, or about a third of the width of a human hair. Credit Tai-De Li Usage Restrictions Must include credit License Licensed content Disclaimer: AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert system.