Animal-World > Reptiles and Amphibians > Reptile Glossary

dewlap - The flap of skin on the throat of some lizards; like iguanas and anoles.

dichromatism - Color differences between individuals of the same species.

dimorphism - Any of the various differences between individuals of the same species; like color and size. Often sex-related differences.

diurnal - Active during the day.

dorsal - Pertains to the back or upper surface.

dorsolateral - Pertains to the upper sides.

dorsolateral ridge/fold - A glandular ridge on the upper sides of certain frogs.

dorsum - The upper surface.

ecology - Scientific study of the interations of organisms and their environment.

ectothermic - An animal that cannot regulate its own body temperature, rather it's regulated by the environment, so they often bask for heat, burrow, and hibernate.

endemic - Indigenous to a specific region or area.

estivation - Similar to hibernation, some herptiles will bury themselves and remain dormant when the climate is too dry and/or hot for comfort. It is also spelled aestivation.

fossorial - It burrows or digs.

genus - A grouping by kind or class. Several united species makes a genus.

gravid - A female bearing eggs or embryos.

hemipenis - The copulatory organ of a male snake or lizard.

herpetology - Scientific Study of reptiles and amphibians.

herpetile - Reptiles and amphibians together.

herbivore - Plant eater, vegitarian.

hibernate - To pass a cold season in sleep or seclusion.

hybrid - A crossbred animal. The offspring of two different species.

Insectivore - Insect eater, subsists on insects.

intergrade - Animals that seem to blend characteristics of subspecies.

Jacobson's organ - An organ for detecting odor located in the roof of the mouth. The tongue delivers the odor. The nostrils connect to the lung or lungs.

keel - A ridge on a scale.

lateral - Pertaining to the side.

larva - the early form or first stage of an insect during its development.

melanism - Blackness, the opposite of albinism.

metamorphosis - The change from a larval state to an adult state.

middorsal - Pertaining to the middle of the back.

midventral - Pertaining to the middle of the belly..

neotenic - Reaching sexual maturity while still in larval form; some salamanders.

neurotoxin - A poison that affects the nervous system.

nocturnal - Active at night.

omnivore - Animals who eat both meat and vegetables.

oviparous - An animal who lays eggs, and then later the eggs hatch.

ovoviviparous - An animal who holds the eggs inside its body until they hatch and living young are delivered. However, the embryo is sustained by the contents of the egg and not by any connection to the animal that holds it.

plastron - The lower shell of a turtle.

poikilothermal - Term used for variable temperature cold-blooded animals.

posterior - Pertaining to the rear.

posterioventral - Pertaining to the rear portion of the lower surface.

pectines - comb like sensory structures visible on the ventral surface of scorpions.

prehensile tail - Capable of grasping or wrapping with the tail.

race - Subspecies.

rostral (horns) - Horns around the nose area.

scute - A horny, chitinous, or bony external plate or scale, as on the shell of a turtle or the underside of a snake. Also called scutum.

semi-aquatic - Able to live on both land and water; some turtles and frogs.

species - One or more animals which closely resemble one another. A group of them together forms a genus.

supratympanal - Positioned above the tympanum (external eardrum).

tarsal Spur - A spur found on the back of the rear feet on male Veiled chameleons for use in breeding.

taxonomy - The science of classifying plants and animals.

terrapin - Fresh-water tortoise.

terrarium - The cage or container for keeping reptiles and amphibians.

terrestrial - Lives on the land.

thermoregulate - To regulate body temperature. Most reptiles cannot produce their own body heat and must rely on external or environmental heat sources. They control their core body temperatures by moving in and out of areas with varying temperatures and humidity levels

toxin - A poisonous substance.

tympanum - The external eardrum.

venom - A toxin produced by an animal.

vent - Anus, the opening from the cloaca to the outside.

ventral - Pertaining to the underside, the lower surface.

viquarium - An enclosure or container for keeping reptiles and amphibians.

viviparous - Live-bearing animal whose young are sustained by some connection to its mother.

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