Reptile Glossary

Arboreal—Pertaining to a tree-dwelling habitat.

Beak—Jagged bottom of turtle upper mouth, used to catch, hold and slice food.

Bolus—A small round lump or mass

Brackish—Water that is somewhat salty.

Carapace—Upper shell of a turtle or tortoise.

Carnivorous—Refers to animals that eat a diet of flesh from other animals.

Dewlap—Loose fold of skin hanging from the throat area.

Diurnal—Active during daylight hours.

Dorsal—On or near the top of the body.

Estuaries—Mouth of a river where saltwater tides meet freshwater.

Eye Caps—Transparent scale covering cornea of snake’s eyes.

Femoral Pores—Large openings located on the underside of lizards, near the anal area.

Full Spectrum—An artificial light source that emits the spectrum of rays that emanate from  uscreened sunlight, including ultraviolet rays.

Herbivorous—Animals that eat a diet of plant material.

Hygrometer—Instrument used to measure humidity.

Insectivorous—Animals that eat a diet of insects.

Lesions—Spots of damage to the skin, an organ or other tissue..

Marine—Refers to animals that live in seawater.

Nocturnal—Active during night hours.

Nuchal—Pertaining to the nape of the neck.

Omnivorous—Anmals that eat both plants and meats.

Oviparous—Producing eggs that hatch after leaving the body of the female.

Plastron—Bottom or ventral shell of turtles and tortoises.

Prolapse—Falling or slipping of a body part from its usual position. In reptiles, a rectal prolapse occurs when tissue protrudes from the anal vent.

Salmonella—A bacterial disease that can be transmitted from reptiles to people.

Scute—External horny or bony plates forming the shell of a turtle.

Substrate—Any material used as bedding.

Viviparous—Giving birth to live young.