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a person who studies reptiles and amphibians
herpetologist
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lives on the ground
terrestrial
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an animal that regulates its body temperature by utilizing warm and cool zones in the environment (cold-blooded)
exothermic
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an animal that is able to regulate its body temperature internally (warm blooded)
endothermic
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the act of lying in a warm area in order to absorb heat
bask
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moving between warm and cool areas in order to regulate body temperature
thermo regulate
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active at night
nocturnal
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active in the day
diurnal
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eats vegetation or plant material
herbivore
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eats both meat and vegetation
omnivore
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an animal that hunts for other animals
predator
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an animal hunted by other animals for food
prey
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a toxic compound secreted by some animals for the purpose of killing or defense
venom
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a modified saliva gland in the maxilla that produces venom
venom gland
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a serum that may neutralize the toxic qualities of venom
antivenom
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a poisonous compound that destroys the nervous system
neurotoxin
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a poisonous compound that attacks blood cells
hemotoxin
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hollow or grooved teeth found in venomous reptiles; during a bite, venom is injected thru them
fangs
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when a venomous reptile bites and no venom is releases
dry bite
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the opening of the airway, it is moveable to allow breathing during the eating process
glottis
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areas on the lips of boas and pythons that are heat sensitive
heat pits
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a tail that is capable of grasping
prehensile
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a foul smelling substance produced by scent glands in the base of the tail
musk
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an animal that eats whenever food is available
opportunistic feeder
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found int he roof of a reptile's mouth that aids in the identification of prey. the tongue will flick out and draw in scent molecules from the air (slang: Jacobson's organ)
vomeronasal organ
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an enlarged scale. seen commonly in turtles and crocodilians, or the underside of snakes
scute
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transparent skin that has fused over a snakes eye
spectacle
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a small appendage located on either side of the vent found in boas and pythons
spur
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a pregnant female reptile
gravid
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to keep eggs in conditions favorable to development and hatching
incubate
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the process where the outer layer of a reptiles skin peels away
shedding
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a covering over some reptiles eyes
brill
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adjusting habits so that a species may improve its condition in relationship to its environment
adaptation
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colors or shapes used by plants and animals to blend into its surroundings and prevent being seen
camouflage
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plates of bone in a reptile's tail that will allow the tail to break off
transverse cleavage plates
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similar to the abdominal cavity of mammals; birds and reptiles do not have a diaphragm to separate the thorax and abdomen
coelomic cavity
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where the female's eggs are produced
oviducts
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located directly on the top of some reptiles head that is connected via the parietal nerve to the pineal body of the brain. it is a photoreceptor used in hormone production and thermoregulatory behavior (slang: the "third eye")
parietal eye
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births live yound
viviparous
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internally incubates eggs, then when the eggs hatch the mother births live young
ovoviviparous
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dead skin that has not sloughed off during the shedding process. happens due to improper husbandry or illness/injury
retained shed
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the ability for the reptile to return itself to the normal upright position
righting reflex
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the body's internal temperature that surrounds the internal organs. reptiles maintain their core temperature for 2 hours after being removed from their habitat
core temperature
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the top shell of a tortoise, turtle or terrapin
carapace
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the bottom shell of a tortoise, turtle or terrapin
plastron
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the organ that functions as a lung in reptiles that do not have lungs
air sac
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the membrane that covers the ear cavity
tympanic membrane
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when the sex of an animal can be determined simply by sight and/or observation in some cases (sexually dimorphic)
dimorphic
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skin that absorbs into the body any medication or anesthetics that are placed onto it
semi permeable skin
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4 modes of respiration used in amphibians
bronchial, buccopharyngeal, cutaneous, pulmonic
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breathing thru gills
bronchial
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breathing done thru air gulping
buccopharyngeal
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oxygen absorption thru the skin
cutaneous
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oxygen absorption thru the blood
pulmonic
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