scaly

Scaly is an adjective describing something covered with, or resembling, scales—the small, rigid plates that form a protective outer layer on some animals or the rough, flaky texture of skin. The term comes from scale, referring to these plate-like coverings. In common use, it can describe both physical coverings and surfaces that have a scaly appearance or texture.

In biology, scales occur in several animal groups. Many fishes have scales that protect the body and can aid in reducing drag in water; scale types include ganoid, cycloid, and ctenoid. Reptiles typically wear overlapping keratinized scales that provide protection and help limit water loss. Some mammals, such as pangolins, are covered by large keratin scales. Birds have scales on their legs and feet, though their main covering is feathers. Scales serve varied ecological roles, including protection, moisture retention, camouflage, and locomotion adaptations.

In medicine and dermatology, “scaly” often describes skin that is dry, flaky, or patchy. Conditions such as ichthyosis, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, and eczema can present with scaly skin. Management depends on the underlying cause and may include moisturizers, keratolytic agents to remove scales, and anti-inflammatory therapies. The term is also used descriptively for non-living textures or armor-like coverings in inanimate objects or artifacts.