Anterior – Situated in the front of the body or nearer to the head.

Anura – A taxonomic order of amphibians that comprises the frogs and toads.

Anuran – A tailless amphibian of the order Anura; a frog or toad.

Anus – The external opening of the cloaca; the vent.

Aquatic – Inhabiting water. Water-dwelling.

Arboreal – Inhabiting trees and/or shrubs. Tree-dwelling.

Arenicolous – Living, burrowing, or growing in sand or sandy places.

Autotomy – the casting off of a part of the body by an animal under threat (e.g. the tail of a lizard).

Axial – Near or in the armpit.

Axilla – Armpit or base of forelimb.

Band (Banded) – A marking the encircles the body or tail.  

Bask – Lie exposed to warmth and light, typically from the sun.

Beaded – Bumpy scales that look like beads.

Bilateral – Relating to both sides of an organism’s body.

Bisected – To divide something into two equal parts.

Blotched – A series of large, irregular patches.

Boss – A soft, glandular or bony lump located between the eyes of some toads.

Bridge – The part of its shell that connects the upper shell (carapace) to the lower shell (plastron).

Brumation – The reptilian equivalent of hibernation.

Bufonid – A toad of the family Bufonidae.

Bufonidae – Taxonomic family containing True toads.

Carapace -The top shell of a turtle.  

Cathemeral – An activity pattern in which an animal is neither prescriptively nocturnal, nor diurnal, nor crepuscular, but irregularly active at any time of night or day, according to prevailing circumstances.

Caudal – Pertaining to the tail.

Caudata – Taxonomic order containing all salamanders.

Carnivorous – Feeding on other animals.

Chevron – A shape consisting of two diagonal stripes meeting at a point in the shape of a V.

Chytridiomycosis (Chytrid) – An infectious disease of amphibians caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis

Clade – A group of organisms that includes a single ancestor and all of its descendants.

Cline, Clinal Variation – Gradual changes in characteristics that occur across the geographic range of a species.  

Cloaca – A chamber into which the intestinal, urinary, and reproductive canals empty in birds, reptiles, amphibians, and some fishes.

Clutch – A group of eggs laid in a single reproductive event.

Congeneric – Belonging to the same genus.

Constrict – To wrap tightly in coils and squeeze.

Costal Folds – The vertical folds of skin on the sides of the body of a salamander between the costal grooves.

Costal Grooves – The vertical grooves in the skin on the sides of the body of a salamander between the costal folds.

Cranial Crest – The raised ridges on the head of a toad, either between or behind the eyes.

Crepuscular – Active around sunrise and/or sunset.

Crossband, Crossbar – A color pattern of a band, bar, or stripe that extends the width of the body.

Crypsis – The ability of an organism to avoid detection or observation by other animals.

Cryptic – Serving to camouflage an animal in its natural environment.

Cycloid –  A type of scale that is smooth-edged and rounded.

Dichromorphism -Having two different color forms.

Dimorphic (adj), Dimorphism (n) – Having different forms. Usually refers to sexual dimorphism, where females and males are distinguishable, especially by size and color.

Disjunct Population – A group of animals that occur in a location widely separated from the primary range of the same species.

Diurnal – Active during daylight.

Docile – Easily managed or handled.

Dorsal (adj), Dorsum (n) – Pertaining to the upper body; the back.

Dorsal Stripe – A lengthwise stripe running down the middle of a reptile’s back. Sometimes referred to as a vertebral stripe. 

Dorsolateral – Pertaining to the area above the sides and below the dorsum.

Dorsolateral Fold, Dorsolateral Ridge – A glandular ridge that runs along the upper sides/back of some frogs.

Dorsoventral – Pertaining to the dorsal and ventral aspects of the body.

Ecoregion – A relatively large area wherein there are similar ecological influences, such as climate, vegetation, and species composition.

Ecosystem – The entire complex of interdependent plants, animals, and other components that form a community within their environment.  

Ecotone – A transition zone between two ecological communities.

Ectotherm (Cold-blooded) – A animal that derives all or most of its body warmth from outside sources.

Elliptical – having the shape of an ellipse, or more broadly, any oval shape.

Endemic – Native and restricted to a certain geographic area.

Endotherm (Warm-blooded) – An animal that self-regulates its body temperature through internal metabolic processes.

Envenomation – Injection of venom.

Ephemeral – Temporary, lasting only for a short time.

Estivation – A dormant state of an animal during a hot or dry period/drought. Sometimes referred to as summer hibernation.

Exotic – Not native to a region

Extirpated – The situation in which a species or population no longer exists within a certain geographical location. Local extinction.

Fang – An elongated, sharp  tooth.

Femoral – Referring to the thigh, which often has pores and enlarged scales.

Femoral Pore – A row of small openings (glands) on the underside of some species of lizards’ thighs that contain a wax-like substance. Usually apparent on males.

Field Herping – The activity of searching for reptiles and amphibians in the wild.

Forelimbs – The two limbs closest to the head of an animal.

Form – A group of organisms that differ in pattern and/or coloring from others within the same species. An identifiable species of subspecies.

Fossorial – Adapted for digging and/or burrowing. Living underground.

Frog – Any of various tailless amphibians belonging to the order Anura.

Frontal – Relating to the front.

Frontoparietal Scale – Scales located behind the eyes, between the frontal scales to the front and the parietal scales to the back.

Generalist – An Animal whose habits or habitats are varied or unspecialized.

Genus – A taxonomic grouping of closely related species.

Gills – an organ for obtaining oxygen from water.

Gland – An organ which secretes particular chemical substances for use in the body or for discharge into the surroundings.

Granular – Small, rounded scales that do not overlap, having a bead-like appearance.

Gravid – Pregnant; carrying eggs or young.

Groin – The area between the abdomen and the thigh on either side of the body.

Gular – Pertaining to the throat.

Gular Fold – A fold of skin at the rear of the throat.

Habitat –  The place or environment where a plant or animal naturally or normally lives and grows.

Hatchling – A recently hatched animal.

Heliothermic – Gaining heat from the sun.

Hemipenis,  Hemipenes (pl)– The paired reproductive organs of male snakes and lizards.

Hemotoxin –  Toxin that destroys red blood cells, disrupts blood clotting, and/or causes organ degeneration and generalized tissue damage.

Herbivorous – Feeding on plants.

Herp, Herptile – A vernacular used by herpetologists to denote reptiles and amphibians.

Herper – A term used for someone who engages in the activity of field herping.

Herpetoculture – The keeping of live reptiles and amphibians in captivity.

Herpetofauna – The reptiles and amphibians of a particular region, habitat, or geological period.

Herpetologist – Someone who specializes in the study of reptiles and amphibians (herpetology).

Herpetology – The scientific study of amphibians and reptiles.

Herping – The activity of searching for reptiles and amphibians in the wild. Shortened version of Field Herping.

Hibernaculum, Hibernacula (pl) – An area where an animal with hibernate or brumate during the cold months of winter.

Horizontal Pupil – An elliptical pupil with its long axis horizontal.

Hybrid – A genetic cross between two species.

Hylid – Any member of the family Hylidae of frogs, including tree frogs.

In situ – In its original place, as it was found.

Infralabials – The scales that border the mouth opening along the lower jaw. Also called lower-labials or sublabials.

Inguinal – Pertaining to the area of the groin.

Insectivorous – Feeding on insects and other invertebrates.  

Interfemoral – Between the thighs.

Intergrade – A transitional form between two other forms, usually referring to subspecies or genotypes.  

Internasals – An adjacent pair of scales on top of a snake’s snout.

Interorbital – The space between the eyes on the top of the head.

Interparietal – A large scale on the top of the head of some lizards that contains the parietal eye.

Intertympanic – Between of connecting the tympani.

Invertebrate – An animal without a backbone.

Jacobson’s Organ, Vomeronasal Organs – The paired auxiliary olfactory sense organ located in the soft tissue of the nasal septum. Most notably present in snakes.

Juvenile – Any young animal that is within the span between hatching/birth and sexual maturity.

Keeled – Scales with a ridge (keel) that runs lengthwise along the center of a scale.

Labial – Relating to the lips. The labial scales border the mouth of reptiles.

Lamella, Lamellae (pl) – A thin layer, membrane, or plate of tissue. In geckos, the soft plates on the bottom of the toes that allow geckos to stick to surfaces.

Larva, Larvae (pl) – The aquatic immature stages of amphibians that occurs between embryo and adult.

Lateral – Relating to the sides.

Lateral Stripe – A lengthwise stripe running along the body.

Lentic – Inhabiting still fresh waters.

Lizard – Any reptile of the order Squamata that is not a snake or an amphisbaenian, that typically (not always) have four legs, external ear openings, moveable eyelid, and a long slender body and tail.

Loreal – The scales which lie between the eye and the nostril.

Lotic – Inhabiting rapidly moving fresh waters.  

Marbling – A color pattern resembling that of marble, with blotches and lines.

Marginal Shields – The bony plates that line the outer edge of the carapace.

Mental – Relating to the chin.

Mesic – Relating or adapted to an environment with a moderate amount of moisture.

Metachrosis – The ability of some animals to change their color voluntarily by expanding and contracting specialized pigment cells.

Metamorph – A recently metamorphosed amphibian.

Metamorphose – To undergo metamorphosis.

Metamorphosis – the process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages.

Microhabitat – A precise location within a habitat where an individual species is normally found.

Middorsal – Pertaining to the middle of the back.

Midventral – Pertaining to the middle of the underside.

Montane – Inhabiting or related to the mountains.

Monophyletic – Descended from a common evolutionary ancestral group, especially one not shared with any other group.

Monotypic – A genus with only one species; the only representative of a group.

Morph – Different forms of the same organism.

Mottled (Mottling) – Pattern of irregular blotches, spots or markings.

Musk – A fowl smelling substance produced by the cloacal glands and secreted as a defensive repellent.

Nasal – Relating to the nose.

Nares – Nostrils

Native – Naturally present in an area.

Neonate – A newborn

Neotenic – The retention of juvenile or larval characteristics into adulthood.

Neoteny (Pedogenesis) – Retention of juvenile characteristics in the adults of a species; Retaining larval features throughout adult life. An alternative process to metamorphosis in which adults retain larval traits at the adult stage.

Neurotoxin – Toxin that alters the structure or function of the nervous system.

Nocturnal – Active at night.

Non-native – Not naturally present in an area (Introduced, Invasive).

Non-venomous – Having no venom.

Nuchal – Referring to the back of the neck.

Nuptial Pad – A thickened area of skin on the forelimbs of some male amphibians that helps them grip females during mating.

Occipital – Referring to the head region.

Ocular Scale – A transparent scale that covers and protects the eye.

Omnivorous – Feeding on both plants and other animals.

Onotgenetic – Describes changes associated with development.

Ophiophagous – Feeding on snakes.

Osteoderm – A bony deposit in the dermal layer of the scale of some animals.

Oviparous (Egg-laying) – Producing eggs that develop and hatch outside the maternal body.

Ovoviviparous (Live-bearing) – Producing young by means of eggs which are hatched within the maternal body. The young are then born alive outside the maternal body.

Paedomorph – An adult organism that has retained the juvenile characteristics.

Paedomorphosis – Phylogenetic change that involves retention of juvenile characters by the adult.

Parapatric – Two or more species that occupy adjacent areas with a narrow zone of overlap.

Paraphyletic – A group of organisms descended from a common evolutionary ancestor or ancestral group, but not including all the descendant groups.

Paravertebral – Located near or adjacent to the spine.

Parietal Scales – Large, platelike scales on the top of the head.

Parietal Eye – A sensory organ on the parietal scale of lizards that detects light and shadows.

Parotoid Glands – Toxin producing glands that occur on the backs, necks, and/or shoulders, of some amphibians (especially toads).

Parthenoform – An organism that is parthenogenetic.

Parthenogenesis (n), Parthenogenetic (adj) – Reproducing by eggs without fertilization or mating, resulting in all female populations. Offspring are clones of the female parent.  

Pectoral – Relating to the chest.

Pedogenesis (Neoteny) – Retention of juvenile characteristics in the adults of a species; Retaining larval features throughout adult life. An alternative process to metamorphosis in which adults retain larval traits at the adult stage.

Plastron – The underside of a turtle’s shell.

Polymorphic – Occurring in several different forms.

Polyphyletic – A group of organisms derived from more than one common ancestor or ancestral group and therefore not suitable for placing in the same taxon.

Polymorphism – Having more than one form or morph.

Postanal Scale – A scale in back of the vent.

Postantebrachial Scales – Scales on the rear of the forelegs.

Posterior – Referring to the rear of the body.

Postnuptial Blush – Bright coloration occurring on gravid females.

Postocular – To the rear of the eye.

Postocular Stripe – A stripe behind the eye.

Postorbital – A bone in the skull that forms a curved, round area behind the eye socket.

Preanal scale – A scale in front of the vent.

Pre-formal – In front of the thighs.

Preocular – To the front of the eye.

Proximal – Referring to the part closest to a reference point.

Race – Subspecies.

Range – The extent of an animal’s geographical distribution. It also refers geographically to a group of mountains.

Ranid – A typical frog. A member of the family Ranidae.

Reptile – A group of tetrapods with an ectothermic metabolism and amniotic development. A vertebrate animal of a class that includes snakes, lizards, crocodiles, turtles, and tortoises.

Reticulation – Netlike patterning.  

Riparian – Lushly vegetated habitat in close proximity to a water source such as a stream, river, pond, or lake.

Rostral – The large scale on the tip of a snake’s snout.

Sacral Hump, Sacral Prominence – The rounded raised part of the lower back in anurans.

Saddles – Markings on the back of an animal that extend onto the sides but do not encircle the body.

Salamander – A group of amphibians typically characterized by their lizard-like appearance, with slender bodies, blunt snouts, short limbs, and the presence of a tail in both larvae and adults.

Saxicolous – Rock-dwelling.

Scaphiopodidae – A family of American spadefoot toads, which are native to North America.

Semiaquatic – Living partly in water and partly on land.

Scales – Each of the small, thin horny or bony plates protecting the skin of reptiles, typically overlapping one another.

Scansorial – Capable of or adapted for climbing.

Scute – Large scales or bony plates.

Secrete – To release a liquid substance.

Serpentes – A suborder or other division of Squamata comprising the snakes.

Spade – Bony, dark tubercles on the hind feet of some anurans used for digging.

Spadefoot – A plump, short-legged burrowing toad with a prominent sharp-edged tubercle on the hind feet, native to North America and Europe.

Species – Organisms that are morphologically much alike and are classified as a distinct kind.

Specimen – a preserved individual used as an example of its species or type for scientific study or display.

Squamata – An order of reptiles which comprises the snakes and lizards.

Striped – A marking that runs lengthwise on the body.

Substrate – The surface or material on which an organism lives.

Subadult – A juvenile animal that is nearly adult size, but not yet sexually mature.

Subcaudal – The scales beneath the tail.

Subdigital – The laterally expanded scales, also known as scansors or lamellae, that are located beneath the digits.

Subgular – Situated on or below the lower part of the throat. 

Sublabials – The scales that border the mouth opening along the lower jaw. Also called lower-labials or infralabials.

Subocular – The scales beneath the eyes.

Subspecies – A subdivision of a species which ranks below species, usually a fairly permanent geographically isolated race.

Supralabials – The scales that border the mouth opening along the upper jaw. Also called upper-labials.

Supraoculars – The large scales above the eyes.

Supraorbital – Situated above the orbit of the eye.

Supratympanal – Situated above or overhanging the tympanum.

SVL (Snout-to-Vent Length) – A term referring to the standard measurement from the snout to vent of reptiles, from the tip of the snout to the external opening of the cloaca.

Sympatric – Occupying the same area or range.

Syntopic – Different species found sharing the same habitat within the geographic range of the two.

Talus – A slope formed by an accumulation of rock debris.

Taxon,  Taxa (pl) – a scientifically classified group or entity.

Taxonomy – The science of classifying organisms into groups according to their relationships with one another.

Temporal – Referring to the region of the temple on the side of the head.

Terrestrial – Living on the ground or land.

Thermoregulate – Behaviorally adjusting body temperature, such as moving from shade to sun.  

Testudines – An order of reptiles which comprises the turtles, terrapins, and tortoises.

Toad – A tailless amphibian with a short stout body and short legs, typically having dry warty skin that can exude poison.

Tortoise – A turtle, typically a herbivorous one that lives on land.

Trill – A quavering or vibratory sound.

Troglodyte – Cave-dwelling.

Tubercle – A raised projection on the skin of some reptiles and amphibians.

Turtle – Reptiles of the order Testudines, characterized by a special shell developed mainly from their ribs.

Tympanum, Tympani (pl) – External eardrums of anurans.

Unken Reflex – A defensive posture adopted by some amphibians, particularly toads, frogs, and salamanders, where they arch their bodies to reveal bright, often warning, colors on their underbellies, tail, or limbs, and may also release toxic secretions. 

Variegated – Having a variety of colors and patterns.

Venom – A toxic, glandular secretion that is actively delivered to the target organism, often injected by fangs, bus sometimes delivered by chewing with grooved teeth.

Venomous – Capable of injecting venom by means of a bite.

Vent – The external opening of the cloaca.

Venter/Ventral – Referring to the underside.

Ventrolateral – Referring to the venter to lateral area.

Vertebral – Along the dorsal, paralleling the spine.

Vertebrates – Animals that possess a spinal column.

Vertical Pupil – Vertically oriented elliptical or slit-like pupil.

Viviparous (Live-bearing) – Gives birth to live young rather than eggs.

Vocal Sac – The distensible, resonating pouch of skin on the throats of male anurans which can be inflated to produce sound.

Wart – The glandular bumps on the body of a toad.

Xeric – Relating or adapted to an extremely dry environment.