[Tsuyoshi]

Originally Posted by AuroraFlash

Spoiler for Manga discussion it is:

Well, I think that Orochimaru was inspired by the skin of the white snake that had been found near his dead parents and the Third said that the white snake was a good symbol. Inspired by that rare white snake, he started optimizing his own body - very similar to his partner Sasori you could say.

Spoiler for Manga:

Maybe so, but so much that he actually became a snake himself? Improving the body by adapting snake-like qualities to it is one thing. Completely transforming into a snake is something else.