Thanks for your comment. I can assure you that this effect was achieved with post processing using Paintshop Pro 8. I used 'Reflections Effect' and 'Kaleidoscope' to achieve the final result, no snake skins were needed.
Very nice work/image Nick. Maybe I'm a bit dense as I can't quite figure out how you got from the original to the final image. Did you use the skins shed by the snakes?