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'.
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.
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.
Endemic
When a lizard is said to be 'endemic', it means they
are confined, restricted, or found only in a particular
location.
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.
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 lizards, lays eggs
to their young. 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.
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. |