Snake vocabulary list

Snake vocabulary

Brumation

Reptile dormancy during cold periods, similar to hibernation.

Colubrid

Member of Colubridae, the largest snake family; most are harmless.

Constriction

Subduing prey by coiling and squeezing.

Ecdysis

Shedding of the outer skin layer.

Ectotherm

Animal relying on external heat to regulate body temperature.

Elapid

Front-fanged venomous snakes such as cobras, mambas, sea snakes and coral snakes.

Fang

Specialised tooth for delivering venom.

Heat pit

Organ that senses infrared heat, found in pit vipers, boas and pythons.

Herpetology

The study of reptiles and amphibians.

Jacobson's organ

Vomeronasal organ in the roof of the mouth used for smell-taste.

Neurotoxin

Toxin affecting the nervous system.

Oviparous

Laying eggs.

Viviparous

Giving birth to live young.

Ophiophagous

Eating other snakes.

Scute

Large scale, especially the broad belly scales.

Spectacle (brille)

Transparent scale covering the eye.

Venom

Toxic secretion injected by bite.

Viper

Member of Viperidae with long hinged fangs.

Quick vocabulary activities

• Flash cards: word on the front, definition on the back.
• Sort the words into groups: body parts, behaviour, and types of snakes.
• Use five words in a short paragraph about a snake from our species guide.