Pond croakings

Like most fields of scientific endeavour, herpetology (the study of reptiles and amphibians) involves a certain amount of jargon. In this section I will attempt to explain the terms they use. I will provide other definitions as required in forthcoming newsletters. Over time you will be able to build up a dictionary of common terms.

ANTERIOR
Towards the front.
ARBOREAL
Tree dwelling.
BILLABONG
A branch or effluent of a river, forming backwater or stagnant pool.
CRYPTOZOIC
Living in hidden or darkened places such as under rocks, logs and bark. CARAPACE
The upper or top half of the shell in turtles.
CAUDAL
Tail section of the herp (from the anal scale to the terminal scale in reptiles
and the tail in tadpoles). Caudal stripe relates to the stripe on the tail.
DEXTRAL
Located on the right side of the body. DORSAL
Top or upper surface of the herp, its back.
ECOLOGY
Relationship between the herp and their environment.
EXFOLIATIONS
Split sheets or slabs of rocks usually caused by weathering.
FOSSORIAL
Adapted for digging or burrowing into the ground.
HERPS
Usually refers to reptiles and amphibians, however it may also refer to the
people who study of keep reptiles and amphibians (may be distinguished
by a capital " in the word Herp).
HERPETOCULTURE
The husbandry or breeding of reptiles and amphibians.
HERPETOLOGY
The study of reptiles and amphibians.

SINISTRAL
Located on the left side of the body.
LATERAL
The sides of the herp
LITTORAL
Relates to the shoreline.
MESIC
Living in, or adapted to, moist, temperate conditions
MONTANE
Associated with mountains or highlands.
OX BOW LAKE
A lake formed when the circular meander of a river is isolated by the river cutting a new channel, with subsequent silting.
POSTERIOR
Tail end of the herp.
PELAGIC
Ocean inhabiting.
PLASTRON
The underside or lower half of the shell in turtles.
SUBCAUDAL
Under the tail.
SAVANNAH
Tropical or subtropical grasslands with scattered trees and shrubs.
SAXICOLINE
Living amongst rocks.
SCLEROPHYLL
Relating to vegetation with hard, drought resistant leaves, as typified by most eucalyptus trees.
SPHAGNUM
Peat or bog mosses which form thick, dense and extensive water saturated mats in many alpine and cool highland areas of high rainfall.
TERRESTRIAL
Occurs or is active on the ground.
VENTRAL
Refers to the underside or lower surface of the herp, it's belly.
XERIC
Living in, or adapted to arid conditions.