Data from: Nanopores in the ventral scales of Bitis rubida and Bitis armata cause white venters

Recent studies speculated that some snakes developed white venters to
avoid overheating caused by highly radiative soil and rocks. Here, we
present the scale-embedded porous nanostructures through which some snake
species of the genus Bitis achieve such whiteness. Our analysis reveals
nanopores causing scattering underneath the external surface of the white
ventral scales of Bitis rubida and Bitis armata. Such nanopores are not
present in the scales of Bitis parviocula, Bitis arietans, and Bitis
rhinoceros that appear transparent or translucent to the naked eye. White
ventral scales with nanopores reflect up to 40% of light in the visible
regime. The reflection, however, decreases for longer wavelengths and
drastically reduces in the infrared. In contrast, a much lower, almost
constant reflection around 8% between 250 nm and 2500 nm is observed for
the transparent or translucent ventral scales without nanopores. Our study
demonstrates that some snake species of the genus Bitis utilize a light
scattering network of nanopores underneath their external surfaces to
create white ventral scales.