TERMINOLOGY (simply knowing what to call everything) seems to be the most universally difficult aspect of every field. This is because few people realize that most of those $100 words are just $10 word parts all strung together. (For example - "anerythristic" is just "an-", meaning "not" combined with "erythr(o)", meaning "red", combined with "-istic", meaning (loosely translated) "in that condition". Simply put it means, "in the condition of not having red".
The following is a list not only of important herpetological terms, but also of the various elements of which they are composed.
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
A
B C D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
A-, An- (pref.) Not
Amelanistic (adj.) Lacking black color elements (melanin)
Amplexus (n.) Mating ritual among some amphibians to synchronize egg-laying and fertilization
Anerythristic (adj.) Lacking red color elements
Anthropomorphism (n.) The attribution of human qualities to other animals
Arboreal (adj.) Of or pertaining to trees; tree-dwelling
Axanthic (adj.) Lacking yellow color elements
Ball Python (n.) Common name for Royal Python (Python regius)
Bask (v.) To lie in such location as to gain warmth (usually from the sun or other light source)
Caudal (adj.) Of or pertaining to the tail
Class (n.) Third major element (in descending order) of the hierarchical classification system
Classification (See Hierarchical Classification)
Constriction (n.) Process in which prey is progressively squeezed as it exhales usually until the prey is dead
Crepuscular (adj.) At dusk
Cryptic (adj.) Hidden or camouflaging
Diurnal (adj.) By day
Dorsal (adj.) Of or pertaining to the back
Erythr(o)- (pref.) Red
Family (n.) Fifth major element (in descending order) of the hierchical classification system
Genus (n.) Sixth major element (in descending order) of the hierarchical classification system
Gestation (n.) Time period between conception and the bearing of young or the laying of eggs
Habitat (n.) The area and conditions to which an animal or group of animals is accustomed
Hemipenes (n.) The paired copulatory organs of snakes
Hemotoxin (n.) Substance which affects the blood of the victim, usually by clotting or by breaking down blood components
Herpeto- (pref.) Of or pertaining to reptiles or amphibians
Herpetoculture (n.) The keeping of reptiles or amphibians
Herpetology (n.) The study of reptiles or amphibians
Herptiles (Herps) (n.) Reptiles and amphibians collectively
Hetero- (pref.) Different
Hierarchical Classification (n.) Classification of life based on increasingly specific characteristics
Homo- (pref.) The same
Hyper- (pref.) High; excessive
Hypo- (pref.) Low; lower than normal
Hypoerythristic (adj.) Having less red color than normal
Hypomelanistic (adj.) Having less black color than normal
Jacobson's Organ (n.) A chemically sensitive organ in the roof of a snake's mouth where airborne information (smell; taste) is received for analysis.
Kingdom (n.) Highest and broadest element in the hierarchical classification of life
Labial (adj.) Of or pertaining to the lips
Lateral (adj.) Of, pertaining to, or toward the side
Leos (n. abbr.) Leopard Geckos
Love (n.) A willingness to sacrifice
Mouth Rot (See ROT)
Necro- (pref.) Of or pertaining to death
Necropsy (n.) Animal autopsy
Necrotic (adj.) Dead (usually referring to animal tissue)
Neurotoxin (n.) Substance which affects the nervous system of the victim usually causing paralysis of the heart and the muscles used for breathing
Nocturnal (adj.) By night
Ocular (adj.) Of or pertaining to the eye
Order (n.) Fourth major element (in descending order) of the hierarchical classification system
Oviparous (adj.) Reproduction in which eggs are deposited to hatch later
Ovoviviparous (adj.) Reproduction in which the eggs hatch at or about the time they are deposited
Phyllum (n.) Second major element (in descending order) of the hierarchical classification system
Retic (n. abbr.) Reticulated Python
Rot (n.) A misnomer used to erroneously identify a variety of medical conditions with a number of causes. Tail Rot, for instance, can result from injury, fungal infection, etc.
Royal Python (n.) Another name for Ball Python esp. common in Europe
Sloughing (n./v.)Periodic shedding of skin (as with snakes)/The act of doing so
Species (n.) Seventh and lowest major element (in descending order) of the hierarchical classification system; generally defined as a group of animals with characteristics distinct from other groups; species do not normally interbreed in their native habitat; the term is both singular and plural
Spectacles (n.) Special clear scale covering eyes of snakes
Sub- (pref.) Below
Subcaudal (adj.) Below the tail
Subocular (adj.) Below the eye
Tail Rot (See ROT)
Toxin (n.) Substance capable of producing injury, illness, or death
Undulate (v.) To move in a smooth wave-like motion
Venom (n.) Modified saliva containing an unusually large amount of toxins
Viviparous (adj.) Reproduction in which the young are born alive (as opposed to hatched)
