Snakes: Glossary

A

aggressive

Boldly attacking as if on purpose

amphibians

A vertebrate that lives on land and water - frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, etc

C

camouflage

Colored in a way that helps something blend into its surroundings

carnivorous

An animal that eats other animals

cold blooded

Animals which are unable to adjust their body temperatures to adjust to the surrounding environment

columella

A small bone which helps certain animals to hear

D

defensive stance

An act that an animal takes on when threatened to make themselves look threatening

digested

To convert food to energy within the body

E

environment

The area around where something lives

G

glands

A special organ of the body that gives off chemicals to perform a job of the body

grooved

A narrow cut or channel in a surface

H

herpetologist

A scientist who studies amphibians and reptiles

hollow

Having an interior that is empty

I

indigenous

Native to that area

inject

To pierce the skin and force into the body

M

mammals

Animals with hair or fur which care for their young

mechanism

The arrangements of the parts in order for them to perform a function

O

offspring

Children or young

P

periodically

Sometimes or once in a while - perhaps on a schedule

pit vipers

A type of snake which has a pit near the eyes for detecting temperature of prey or enemies

poison

Any substance that harms the body or causes death - see venom

poisonous

Related to poison

prey

Food caught by a hunting animal

R

regulate

To change as needed

reptiles

Vertebrate animals that are cold blooded and covered with scales - crocodiles, alligators, snakes, dinosaurs, turtles

ribcage

The rib bones

S

salmonella

A serious disease carried by reptiles and amphibians

scales

Thin, flat plates that cover reptiles

scaley

Having scales

sensory

Related to the senses

specialized

For a special purpose

structured

Built or organized

V

venom

Any substance that harms the body or causes death - see poison

venomous

Related to venom

vertebrates

Animals with backbones and skeletons

vibrations

A movement that is up and down or back and forth rather quickly

W

warm blooded

Animals which are able to adjust their body temperatures to adjust to the surrounding environment