Glossary

 
Dorsal The upper (or back) side of an animal.
Hemipenes Penis of snake. Each snake has two penises, each of which is an independent fully functioning unit. Only one is used during mating. Each hemipene is sac-like and lies internally on either side of the base of the tail behind the vent in its own individual sheath. During mating the one that will be used is everted through an opening in the sheath and turned inside out. Hemipenes are covered by spines and hooks that help keep them in place during mating. A groove on the ventral boarder acts as a channel for sperm transfer.
   
   
   
Oviparous Young hatch from eggs laid outside the mother’s body.
Ovoviviparous Shelled eggs that are retained inside the mother’s uterus until young are developed. Young hatch from eggs inside the uterus and then are born.
Proteroglyphous The state of having two fixed front fangs, one on either side of the anterior end of the maxillary bone. This state is the main feature that defines the group of snakes known as the elapids.
Reptile Cold blooded vertebrate with lungs and outer covering of horny scales or plates.
Snake Reptile with cylindrical limbless body, fused eyelids and jaw modified for swallowing large prey.
Ventral The underneath, or belly side, of an animal.
Viviparous Young born alive after having been nourished in the uterus by yolk sacs. An egg shell no longer forms. Viviparity in reptiles is different from mammals where the young are nourished in the uterus by the placenta rather than yolk sacs.