What type of scales cover the underside of a snake’s body?

Ventral scales cover the underside of a snake’s body.

These broad, elongated scales are also called gastrosteges. They form a gripping surface that helps many snakes push against the ground, vegetation, or other objects during locomotion. Their arrangement is an important feature in snake identification.

The scales along the back and sides are generally called dorsal scales, while the large scales beneath the tail are subcaudal scales. Specialized scales also occur around the mouth, eyes, and head, so “snake scales” is not one uniform category.

Ventral scale counts have long been used by herpetologists to distinguish species and populations. Snakes do not have legs, so their skin and muscles must perform several jobs at once: protection, traction, sensory support, and controlled movement.