Comparison of organic solvent extracts and the fatty acid composition of nonpolar lipids of shed skins from male and female corn snakes (Elaphe guttata guttata)

In order to characterize the differences in chemical composition between ma le and female integument, shed skins of corn snakes (Elaphe guttata guttata ) were sequentially extracted with hexane, dichloromethane, and methanol. N onpolar (hexane) and polar (methanol) organic solvents extracted greater ma ss from male than female shed skins. A comparative analysis of the fairy ac id composition of hexane extracts indicated no significant sexual differenc es in the chemical composition of nonpolar lipids found in the shed skins W ithin the detection limits of this analysis, it is unlikely that corn snake s use nonpolar lipids for sex identification during the non-breeding season , because the fatty acid composition of the nonpolar fraction of male shed skins is only slightly different than female corn snakes.