Glossary Of Terms
[A][B][C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J][K][L][M][N][O][P][Q][R][S][T][U][V][W][X][Y][Z] Ad hoc without proof Adjunct aid Agonistic aggressive, combative Ambient external, outside Anomaly; anomalies abnormalities, birth defects Anorexia loss of appetite Anterior front or front portion Anthropomorphic attributing human qualities or emotions animals Apposition in contact Aquatic water inhabiting Arachnids class of invertebrates that includes mites and ticks Arboreal tree dwelling Aspiration to withdraw or suck out Asymptomatic showing no symptoms Autohemorrage self-induced bleeding Bacteristatic able to inhibit but not kill bacteria Basking resting in an area of heat or light Biennial every two years Bifurcated forked Binomial name consisting of two parts, e.g., genus name and species name Biological clock an internal biological rhythm which is responsible for periodic changes in an animal’s behavior Boidae taxonomic family of snakes that includes the boas and pythons Boids Snakes of the family Boidae; boas and pythons Breeding trials introducing males and females together for the purpose of breeding Brumation a period of prolonged cool temperature without actual hibernation Canopy closed screen of top most branches over the forest floor Capsule membrane enveloping another structure Caudally towards the tail Cervical pertaining to the neck Cline; clinal variant gradual change of a variable characteristic over a given geographic area CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species Cloaca common chamber into which digestive, urinary and reproductive systems empty Cold-blooded referring to animal whose metabolism and body temperature are dependent on environmental/outside heat sources Combat competition between males for dominance and breeding rights Communal referring to a community of several individuals Congenital present at birth Conspecifics member of the same species Constrictor snake which kills its prey by enveloping it within muscular constricting coils of its body Contagious capable of being transferred from individual to another Copulate; copulation to have sexual intercourse Core temperature temperature within the body Cranial pertaining to the skull Crepuscular active at sunset or sunrise Cryptic Camouflaged or concealed Cyanomorph a color phase in which the dominant color is blue Debilitate to make weak or feeble; enervate Deciduous a falling out (as of teeth) at a given season or age Defecation the act of eliminating waste from the cloaca Dehydration excessive loss of body fluids/water Dichromatism (sexual) an obvious color difference between sexes of the same species Dimorphic morphological differences between members of the same species (colors or pattern phases) Disinfection killing microorganisms Distention swelling Diurnal active by day Dominant trait that is expressed by a single gene (i.e., when the gene is contributed by only one parent) Dorsal pertaining to the upper surface Dorso-lateral the upper sides Dorsum the back, or upper surface, of a snake Double clutching producing two clutches in less than one year. Applies to pythons and boas, even though clutch refers to eggs Dysecdysis incomplete or improper shedding Dystocia difficulty in delivering eggs or young Ecdysis shedding the skin Ecology the study of organisms in relation to their environment Ectoparasite external parasites, such as mites and fleas Ecosystem the complete system of living organisms and non-living elements that interact together in a specific area Ectothermic cold blooded, dependent upon external source of heat Electro ejaculation collection of sperm by the use of a mild electric current Electrolytes any substance that breaks down to form ions in solutions then capable of conducting electrical impulses Emaciated abnormally lean through starvation or disease Embryo the earliest stage of a developing fertilized egg that will eventually become offspring Embryonic sac the membrane-like covering in which the embryo/fetus develops Endemic confined to/found in one geographic area (usually small) Endoparasites internal parasites, such as protozoans or worms Entrails the internal organs Epidermal pertaining to the skin Equilibrate become equal Erythritic; erythristic a color phase in which the dominant color is red Estivate become dormant during the summer or dry season Ethological relating to behavior Euthanized killed in a humane manner Evolution (parallel or convergent) the phenomenon of two unrelated species confined to two distinct geographical areas developing similar or identical morphological characteristics and habits as a result of exploiting similar or identical habitats Exogenous coming from outside the animal Exsanguinate bleed to death Eye cap clear, curved scale that protects a snakes eyes Facultative producing disease only when immunity is suppressed/reduced Family group of related animals ranked above a genus and below an order Fast to eat very little or nothing Fauna all animal life of a region, period, habitat or environment Feces solid waste excreted from the bowel Fertility the ability to conceive offspring Fertilization impregnation by male germ/sperm cell Fetal wastage loss of apparently viable eggs or fetus Fetus the developing young in the later stages of development until the time of birth Fixed a gene is fixed when it becomes present in all members of a population Flagella; flagellae tail-like structure on microorganisms and sperm used for propelling the organism Follicle the structure in the ovary which contains the developing ovum Fossorial adapted to burrowing Founders the original specimens in a breeding group Full spectrum light light closely imitating sunlight, including ultraviolet wavelengths important to many reptiles Fuzzies newborn rodents that have just begun to grow hair Gene chemical unit of heredity responsible for producing specific traits in the developing offspring Generation time the time required for a generation of neonates to grow to sexual maturity and reproduce Genotype the genetic composition of an animal or plant Genus group of related species, which may be divided into subordinate species; normally the first word in a scientific name Germinal reproductive Gestation period in which eggs or neonates develop within the body of the female Gradient range or gradual change, such as a temperature gradient from warm to cool Gravid pregnant with eggs or young Gular (skin) pertaining to the throat Habitat natural residence of an organism Helminthes a parasitic worm inhabiting the digestive, respiratory or circulatory system of an animal Hemipenis; hemipenes one of the paired sexual organs of male snakes and lizards Heredity the genetic transmission of a particular trait from parent to offspring Herpetoculture hobby; business of keeping reptiles and/or amphibians Herpetology the study of reptiles and amphibians Heterogeneity not having pure genes for a trait (i.e., a snake that is heterogeneous for albinism looks normal, but carries one gene for albinism) Heterozygous having a gene for a trait on both chromosomes Hibernation dormancy during winter or the cool season Homozygous carrying pure genes for a given trait Humidity the mount of moisture in the environment Husbandry management or care of living things Hydration the absorption of water by the body Imbricate (scales) to overlap Impaction wedged in firmly; overloading an internal organ such as the intestine; inability of eggs to move through the reproductive tract Incandescent bulb bulb that emits light and heat from an electrical current applied to a metal filament within the bulb Incubation process through which eggs are heated until the offspring hatch Infertility inability to produce offspring Interstitial (skin) between the scales Insular found on islands In utero in the uterus Invaginated inverted Involution regression and eventual disappearance Jacobson’s organ sensory organ located in the palate where airborne particles are transferred from the tongue for identification Juvenile young animal Karyotype the number and types of chromosomes for a specific taxon Keeled ridged; usually applies to dorsal scales Keratin the dead, horny, relatively inflexible skin of which scales are made of Labial pertaining to the scales bordering the mouth/lips Lateral pertaining to the sides Lesion injury/breakage of the skin Leucistic absence of all color (white) Lethargy; lethargic dull, lifeless, weak Lithified Literally, turned to stone; becoming hardened Lukewarm water warm to the touch; approximately 70-80 degrees Lumen opening Malnutrition state of receiving faulty or inadequate nutrition Mandible lower jaw Maxilla upper jaw Maxillary pertaining to the upper jaw Metabolism chemical and physical process involved in the breakdown of food in to energy; development; development of stores of chemicals within the body for use during growth and development of tissues Metabolic rate rate in which ingested food is broken down and converted into energy Microhabitat small, localized areas within a habitat where conditions may vary from those of the larger habitat Mimicry one animal imitating the coloration or actions of another Miscarriage loss of offspring from the female before they are able to independently survive Mite tiny blood-sucking external parasite Monotypic Genus genus possessing a single species Morbidity illness or disease Morph inheritable color or pattern variation; phase Morphology the study of the structure of animals and plants Mucous membrane passages connecting to the outside openings in which the lining is composed of cells that produce mucous; oral cavity, air passages, upper digestive tract, etc. Nares nostrils Necropsy post mortem examination Necrosis/Necrotic death of individual/groups of cells; specific areas of tissue Neonate; neonatal newborn Neo-tropical tropical areas of the New World, e.g., the Americas New World North, Central and South America Non-dominant (recessive) a trait that is expressed only if both parents transmit the gene, i.e., when it is homozygous Nocturnal active at night Nodule lesion that appears as a small lump or knot Nomenclature a system of names used in a specific branch of knowledge, e.g., zoology Nominate (race) the first defined of a species upon which subspecies are based Occult hidden; not apparent, without symptoms Ocellus; ocelli circular or eye-like markings Old World continents of Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia Ontogenetic pertaining to the life history of an organism Oocyte egg that has not yet reached full development Oogenisis the process of forming eggs in the ovary Opaque/opacity cloudy; preparing to shed Ophidian a snake, or relating to a snake Ophiophagus feed primarily on snakes Organogenisis the formation of organs in the embryo Oviparous egg laying Oviposition laying eggs Ovoviviparous having non-shelled eggs which hatch internally of the female; the term is often replaced by viviparous, which implies the presence of a rudimentary placenta in reptiles Ovulation release of mature ova Ovum; ova an egg, in both pythons and boas, whether fertilized or not, is an ovum Parasite an organism deriving its nourishment from another Parasite loading build-up of internal or external parasites resulting from confinement Parthenogenetic reproduction without males Particulate made of particles Parrelism development of two similar species from different ancestors Parturition giving birth Pelvic spurs visible remnants of the hind legs located on either side of the vent in Boids and a few other snakes Perinatal occurring shortly before, during or after birth Peristaltic; peristalsis rhythmic muscular contractions Peritonitis infection of the abdominal cavity (coelem in reptiles) Phase inheritable pattern or color variation; morph Phenotype; phenotypic the external appearance of an organism Pheromone a chemical, which is released by one sex that attracts the other sex Photoperiod period of light and dark within a 24-hour period Pinkies newborn rodents without hair Plasticity adaptability; variability; flexibility Posterior at or toward the rear or end Post-hoc occurring after an event, rather than because of an event Post ocular behind the eye Post-partum; Post parturient after giving birth Post-term after the due date, or after the term Progressive increasing Prehensile adapted for/capable of grasping Pre-term before the due date, or before term Prey animal that is caught/devoured by another for food/energy Probing technique used to determine the sex of snakes involving insertion of a blunt probe into the internal sheath containing the reproductive organs at the base of the tail Procryptic camouflaging colors and/or patterns Prolapse fall out Propagation reproduction; to multiply by breeding Provenance the history of a specimen; its origin, its parents and owners Quarantine period of isolation and observation for new animals to prevent the introduction of parasites into a healthy, established collection Rafting breaking off of a tree, land mass or other floating object that carries plants or animals to a different location along a river Recalcitrant stubborn; difficult Recessive a trait that is expressed only if the gene is transmitted from both parents, or homozygous Recrudescence reappearance or re-growth Regurgitate vomit partially digested stomach contents Rejuvenate replenish; return to a normal state Relict left behind, isolated, a survivor Respire breath Rhomb diamond shaped Ringer’s solution a mixture of water and chemicals similar to a blood serum Riverine living on or near a riverbank or river Rodent Mouse, rat, etc; gnawing animals commonly fed to Boids Rostral (shield) scale at the tip of the snout Rugose wrinkled Saddle the blotches on the dorsum of boa constrictors Sanitize to make clean/healthy by washing, disinfecting, sterilizing Scute external bony or horny plate/ventral scale Semipermeable permeable to some substances but not others Sequelae permanent damage or affects Sexing determining the sex of an individual Sheath tubular envelope of tissue containing a body part or organ Sperm male reproductive cells that fertilize an egg during copulation Spermatogenesis development of sperm Sphagnum moss bog or peat moss used for moisture retention Spurs small claws, remnants of hind limbs, present on both sides of the cloaca in many of the boas and pythons Ssp subspecies Sterile no reproductive power; free from microorganisms Stomatitis infection of the mouth Stress biological changes that occur as a result of adverse external influences Striping the presence of stripes in the pattern Subcaudals scales on the ventral surface between the vent and the tip of the tail Subcutaneous; subdermal beneath the skin Sublingual below or beneath the tongue Subocular below the eye Subspecies a variety or subdivision of a species Substrate material used for the bottom of a cage Subterranean an existence beneath the ground Supralabial one of the several scales on the upper lip Supraocular scale(s) above the eye Supraorbital above the eyes Sympatric two or more populations that coexist in the same geographic region Syndrome a group of symptoms or abnormalities occurring together Synonymy; synonomous the correct and incorrect technical names which have been collectively used by various systematists to designate a given species Taxon; Taxa a specific species or subspecies of a living organism Taxonomy the science of classifying organisms Temperate having a well defined seasonal variation in temperature Teratogenic causing birth defects Terrestrial ground dwelling Testosterone a male sex hormone Thermoreceptor device or organ sensitive to heat or fluctuations in temperature Thermoregulate to control temperature Topical refers to a particular area; substance applied to a specific area of skin which affects the area it is applied to Tractable tame; handleable Transient temporary Trauma wound; injury Trinomial referring to a three part technical name, e.g., genus, species, subspecies Tubercles small, knob like prominence or knob Vectors organisms capable of transmitting parasites or disease causing organisms Vent anal or cloacal opening in reptiles Venter refers to the lower/under surface of the body Ventral pertaining to the lower or abdominal surface Vestigial remnant of a structure that functioned in a previous stage of individual or species development Vitellogenesis formation of the yolk of the egg Vivarium container or enclosure for housing reptiles and amphibians Viviparous giving birth to live young Xanthic a color morph in which the dominant color is yellow Xeric hot and dry conditions [Back To Top] [Main Page]
[A][B][C][D][E][F][G][H][I][J][K][L][M][N][O][P][Q][R][S][T][U][V][W][X][Y][Z] Ad hoc without proof Adjunct aid Agonistic aggressive, combative Ambient external, outside Anomaly; anomalies abnormalities, birth defects Anorexia loss of appetite Anterior front or front portion Anthropomorphic attributing human qualities or emotions animals Apposition in contact Aquatic water inhabiting Arachnids class of invertebrates that includes mites and ticks Arboreal tree dwelling Aspiration to withdraw or suck out Asymptomatic showing no symptoms Autohemorrage self-induced bleeding Bacteristatic able to inhibit but not kill bacteria Basking resting in an area of heat or light Biennial every two years Bifurcated forked Binomial name consisting of two parts, e.g., genus name and species name Biological clock an internal biological rhythm which is responsible for periodic changes in an animal’s behavior Boidae taxonomic family of snakes that includes the boas and pythons Boids Snakes of the family Boidae; boas and pythons Breeding trials introducing males and females together for the purpose of breeding Brumation a period of prolonged cool temperature without actual hibernation Canopy closed screen of top most branches over the forest floor Capsule membrane enveloping another structure Caudally towards the tail Cervical pertaining to the neck Cline; clinal variant gradual change of a variable characteristic over a given geographic area CITES Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species Cloaca common chamber into which digestive, urinary and reproductive systems empty Cold-blooded referring to animal whose metabolism and body temperature are dependent on environmental/outside heat sources Combat competition between males for dominance and breeding rights Communal referring to a community of several individuals Congenital present at birth Conspecifics member of the same species Constrictor snake which kills its prey by enveloping it within muscular constricting coils of its body Contagious capable of being transferred from individual to another Copulate; copulation to have sexual intercourse Core temperature temperature within the body Cranial pertaining to the skull Crepuscular active at sunset or sunrise Cryptic Camouflaged or concealed Cyanomorph a color phase in which the dominant color is blue Debilitate to make weak or feeble; enervate Deciduous a falling out (as of teeth) at a given season or age Defecation the act of eliminating waste from the cloaca Dehydration excessive loss of body fluids/water Dichromatism (sexual) an obvious color difference between sexes of the same species Dimorphic morphological differences between members of the same species (colors or pattern phases) Disinfection killing microorganisms Distention swelling Diurnal active by day Dominant trait that is expressed by a single gene (i.e., when the gene is contributed by only one parent) Dorsal pertaining to the upper surface Dorso-lateral the upper sides Dorsum the back, or upper surface, of a snake Double clutching producing two clutches in less than one year. Applies to pythons and boas, even though clutch refers to eggs Dysecdysis incomplete or improper shedding Dystocia difficulty in delivering eggs or young Ecdysis shedding the skin Ecology the study of organisms in relation to their environment Ectoparasite external parasites, such as mites and fleas Ecosystem the complete system of living organisms and non-living elements that interact together in a specific area Ectothermic cold blooded, dependent upon external source of heat Electro ejaculation collection of sperm by the use of a mild electric current Electrolytes any substance that breaks down to form ions in solutions then capable of conducting electrical impulses Emaciated abnormally lean through starvation or disease Embryo the earliest stage of a developing fertilized egg that will eventually become offspring Embryonic sac the membrane-like covering in which the embryo/fetus develops Endemic confined to/found in one geographic area (usually small) Endoparasites internal parasites, such as protozoans or worms Entrails the internal organs Epidermal pertaining to the skin Equilibrate become equal Erythritic; erythristic a color phase in which the dominant color is red Estivate become dormant during the summer or dry season Ethological relating to behavior Euthanized killed in a humane manner Evolution (parallel or convergent) the phenomenon of two unrelated species confined to two distinct geographical areas developing similar or identical morphological characteristics and habits as a result of exploiting similar or identical habitats Exogenous coming from outside the animal Exsanguinate bleed to death Eye cap clear, curved scale that protects a snakes eyes Facultative producing disease only when immunity is suppressed/reduced Family group of related animals ranked above a genus and below an order Fast to eat very little or nothing Fauna all animal life of a region, period, habitat or environment Feces solid waste excreted from the bowel Fertility the ability to conceive offspring Fertilization impregnation by male germ/sperm cell Fetal wastage loss of apparently viable eggs or fetus Fetus the developing young in the later stages of development until the time of birth Fixed a gene is fixed when it becomes present in all members of a population Flagella; flagellae tail-like structure on microorganisms and sperm used for propelling the organism Follicle the structure in the ovary which contains the developing ovum Fossorial adapted to burrowing Founders the original specimens in a breeding group Full spectrum light light closely imitating sunlight, including ultraviolet wavelengths important to many reptiles Fuzzies newborn rodents that have just begun to grow hair Gene chemical unit of heredity responsible for producing specific traits in the developing offspring Generation time the time required for a generation of neonates to grow to sexual maturity and reproduce Genotype the genetic composition of an animal or plant Genus group of related species, which may be divided into subordinate species; normally the first word in a scientific name Germinal reproductive Gestation period in which eggs or neonates develop within the body of the female Gradient range or gradual change, such as a temperature gradient from warm to cool Gravid pregnant with eggs or young Gular (skin) pertaining to the throat Habitat natural residence of an organism Helminthes a parasitic worm inhabiting the digestive, respiratory or circulatory system of an animal Hemipenis; hemipenes one of the paired sexual organs of male snakes and lizards Heredity the genetic transmission of a particular trait from parent to offspring Herpetoculture hobby; business of keeping reptiles and/or amphibians Herpetology the study of reptiles and amphibians Heterogeneity not having pure genes for a trait (i.e., a snake that is heterogeneous for albinism looks normal, but carries one gene for albinism) Heterozygous having a gene for a trait on both chromosomes Hibernation dormancy during winter or the cool season Homozygous carrying pure genes for a given trait Humidity the mount of moisture in the environment Husbandry management or care of living things Hydration the absorption of water by the body Imbricate (scales) to overlap Impaction wedged in firmly; overloading an internal organ such as the intestine; inability of eggs to move through the reproductive tract Incandescent bulb bulb that emits light and heat from an electrical current applied to a metal filament within the bulb Incubation process through which eggs are heated until the offspring hatch Infertility inability to produce offspring Interstitial (skin) between the scales Insular found on islands In utero in the uterus Invaginated inverted Involution regression and eventual disappearance Jacobson’s organ sensory organ located in the palate where airborne particles are transferred from the tongue for identification Juvenile young animal Karyotype the number and types of chromosomes for a specific taxon Keeled ridged; usually applies to dorsal scales Keratin the dead, horny, relatively inflexible skin of which scales are made of Labial pertaining to the scales bordering the mouth/lips Lateral pertaining to the sides Lesion injury/breakage of the skin Leucistic absence of all color (white) Lethargy; lethargic dull, lifeless, weak Lithified Literally, turned to stone; becoming hardened Lukewarm water warm to the touch; approximately 70-80 degrees Lumen opening Malnutrition state of receiving faulty or inadequate nutrition Mandible lower jaw Maxilla upper jaw Maxillary pertaining to the upper jaw Metabolism chemical and physical process involved in the breakdown of food in to energy; development; development of stores of chemicals within the body for use during growth and development of tissues Metabolic rate rate in which ingested food is broken down and converted into energy Microhabitat small, localized areas within a habitat where conditions may vary from those of the larger habitat Mimicry one animal imitating the coloration or actions of another Miscarriage loss of offspring from the female before they are able to independently survive Mite tiny blood-sucking external parasite Monotypic Genus genus possessing a single species Morbidity illness or disease Morph inheritable color or pattern variation; phase Morphology the study of the structure of animals and plants Mucous membrane passages connecting to the outside openings in which the lining is composed of cells that produce mucous; oral cavity, air passages, upper digestive tract, etc. Nares nostrils Necropsy post mortem examination Necrosis/Necrotic death of individual/groups of cells; specific areas of tissue Neonate; neonatal newborn Neo-tropical tropical areas of the New World, e.g., the Americas New World North, Central and South America Non-dominant (recessive) a trait that is expressed only if both parents transmit the gene, i.e., when it is homozygous Nocturnal active at night Nodule lesion that appears as a small lump or knot Nomenclature a system of names used in a specific branch of knowledge, e.g., zoology Nominate (race) the first defined of a species upon which subspecies are based Occult hidden; not apparent, without symptoms Ocellus; ocelli circular or eye-like markings Old World continents of Europe, Asia, Africa and Australia Ontogenetic pertaining to the life history of an organism Oocyte egg that has not yet reached full development Oogenisis the process of forming eggs in the ovary Opaque/opacity cloudy; preparing to shed Ophidian a snake, or relating to a snake Ophiophagus feed primarily on snakes Organogenisis the formation of organs in the embryo Oviparous egg laying Oviposition laying eggs Ovoviviparous having non-shelled eggs which hatch internally of the female; the term is often replaced by viviparous, which implies the presence of a rudimentary placenta in reptiles Ovulation release of mature ova Ovum; ova an egg, in both pythons and boas, whether fertilized or not, is an ovum Parasite an organism deriving its nourishment from another Parasite loading build-up of internal or external parasites resulting from confinement Parthenogenetic reproduction without males Particulate made of particles Parrelism development of two similar species from different ancestors Parturition giving birth Pelvic spurs visible remnants of the hind legs located on either side of the vent in Boids and a few other snakes Perinatal occurring shortly before, during or after birth Peristaltic; peristalsis rhythmic muscular contractions Peritonitis infection of the abdominal cavity (coelem in reptiles) Phase inheritable pattern or color variation; morph Phenotype; phenotypic the external appearance of an organism Pheromone a chemical, which is released by one sex that attracts the other sex Photoperiod period of light and dark within a 24-hour period Pinkies newborn rodents without hair Plasticity adaptability; variability; flexibility Posterior at or toward the rear or end Post-hoc occurring after an event, rather than because of an event Post ocular behind the eye Post-partum; Post parturient after giving birth Post-term after the due date, or after the term Progressive increasing Prehensile adapted for/capable of grasping Pre-term before the due date, or before term Prey animal that is caught/devoured by another for food/energy Probing technique used to determine the sex of snakes involving insertion of a blunt probe into the internal sheath containing the reproductive organs at the base of the tail Procryptic camouflaging colors and/or patterns Prolapse fall out Propagation reproduction; to multiply by breeding Provenance the history of a specimen; its origin, its parents and owners Quarantine period of isolation and observation for new animals to prevent the introduction of parasites into a healthy, established collection Rafting breaking off of a tree, land mass or other floating object that carries plants or animals to a different location along a river Recalcitrant stubborn; difficult Recessive a trait that is expressed only if the gene is transmitted from both parents, or homozygous Recrudescence reappearance or re-growth Regurgitate vomit partially digested stomach contents Rejuvenate replenish; return to a normal state Relict left behind, isolated, a survivor Respire breath Rhomb diamond shaped Ringer’s solution a mixture of water and chemicals similar to a blood serum Riverine living on or near a riverbank or river Rodent Mouse, rat, etc; gnawing animals commonly fed to Boids Rostral (shield) scale at the tip of the snout Rugose wrinkled Saddle the blotches on the dorsum of boa constrictors Sanitize to make clean/healthy by washing, disinfecting, sterilizing Scute external bony or horny plate/ventral scale Semipermeable permeable to some substances but not others Sequelae permanent damage or affects Sexing determining the sex of an individual Sheath tubular envelope of tissue containing a body part or organ Sperm male reproductive cells that fertilize an egg during copulation Spermatogenesis development of sperm Sphagnum moss bog or peat moss used for moisture retention Spurs small claws, remnants of hind limbs, present on both sides of the cloaca in many of the boas and pythons Ssp subspecies Sterile no reproductive power; free from microorganisms Stomatitis infection of the mouth Stress biological changes that occur as a result of adverse external influences Striping the presence of stripes in the pattern Subcaudals scales on the ventral surface between the vent and the tip of the tail Subcutaneous; subdermal beneath the skin Sublingual below or beneath the tongue Subocular below the eye Subspecies a variety or subdivision of a species Substrate material used for the bottom of a cage Subterranean an existence beneath the ground Supralabial one of the several scales on the upper lip Supraocular scale(s) above the eye Supraorbital above the eyes Sympatric two or more populations that coexist in the same geographic region Syndrome a group of symptoms or abnormalities occurring together Synonymy; synonomous the correct and incorrect technical names which have been collectively used by various systematists to designate a given species Taxon; Taxa a specific species or subspecies of a living organism Taxonomy the science of classifying organisms Temperate having a well defined seasonal variation in temperature Teratogenic causing birth defects Terrestrial ground dwelling Testosterone a male sex hormone Thermoreceptor device or organ sensitive to heat or fluctuations in temperature Thermoregulate to control temperature Topical refers to a particular area; substance applied to a specific area of skin which affects the area it is applied to Tractable tame; handleable Transient temporary Trauma wound; injury Trinomial referring to a three part technical name, e.g., genus, species, subspecies Tubercles small, knob like prominence or knob Vectors organisms capable of transmitting parasites or disease causing organisms Vent anal or cloacal opening in reptiles Venter refers to the lower/under surface of the body Ventral pertaining to the lower or abdominal surface Vestigial remnant of a structure that functioned in a previous stage of individual or species development Vitellogenesis formation of the yolk of the egg Vivarium container or enclosure for housing reptiles and amphibians Viviparous giving birth to live young Xanthic a color morph in which the dominant color is yellow Xeric hot and dry conditions [Back To Top] [Main Page]