Arboreal
Lizards that spend a large amount of time in trees are
classified as arboreal. The first part of the
word, arbor, is the latin word for 'tree'.
Autotomy
Self-severing, or self-amputation. In this case, the
ability of a lizard to drop it's own tail.
Data Deficient
When a lizard is classified as 'Data Deficient' by the
IUCN, it means there is insufficient
data for proper conservation classification.
Debilitation
This terms simply refers to the weakening of the lizard.
This can refer to the bones, skin, tail or anything
that is getting weaker.
Dewlap
Not all lizards have dewlaps, but some do, like the
Green Anole
and Brown Anole.
A dewlap is the inflatable or extendable flap of skin
under their necks.
Dorsal
The term 'dorsal' refers to the backside, or top, of
a lizards body.
Diurnal
Diurnal is the opposite of nocturnal (see below). Diurnal
lizards follow a human sleep pattern; active and eating
during the day, while sleeping at night.
Ectothermic
The term ectothermic refers to living things (animals,
plants, etc) that warm their bodies using external sources.
Endemic
When a lizard is said to be 'endemic', it means they
are confined, restricted, or found only in a particular
location.
Estivation
A state of dormancy in which some lizards enter during
a hot and dry season. It is somewhat similar to hibernation,
but their bodies do not enter the same state.
Femoral
This term means the item in question is situated near
the thigh, or femur. In lizards it most often refers
to pores located at the base of the tail.
Hibernate
Some lizards can place themselves in a state of regulated
hypothermia, which conserves energy during winter months,
and allows them to survive without food.
IUCN
The IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature
and Natural Resources) is an organization dedicated
to natural resource conservation. They are responsible
for classifying the conservation status' of lizards,
and other animals.
Morphology
The study of the form, shape or configuration of an
organism or part of an organism.
Nocturnal
When a lizard is nocturnal, it means they are
active during the night. A nocturnal lizard will sleep
during the daytime and hunt for food at night.
Nuchal Crest
A row of spikes starting large at the base of the head
that gets smaller as it moves down to the base of the
tail.
Oviparous
An animal that is oviparous, like most lizards, lay
eggs as opposed to giving live birth. Little development
happens inside the mother.
Parthenogenetic
Female lizards that are parthenogenetic develop eggs
without the fertilization from a male.
Pineal Gland
The pineal gland in lizards regulates their internal
biological clock, and helps in thermoregulation.
It is located on the surface of the brain, and is connected
to their Parietal
Eye.
Preanal
The term preanal means 'before the anus'. With lizards
it most often refers to pores located on the underside
of the lizard, located immediately before the anus.
SVL
The abbreviation for snout-vent length is SVL, and is
commonly used when describing the size of a lizard.
Terrestrial
Lizards that live partially or entirely on land are
classified as terrestrial.
Thermoregulation
Lizards are cold-blooded and do not produce an internal
temperature. They have to regulate their body temperature
using their external environment, and this is referred
to as thermoregulation.
Tubercles
These are wart-like projections, or rounded bumps, commonly
found on lizards.
Ventral
The underside (abdomen, or belly) of a lizard. |
