Reptile Glossary

Reptile Glossary

Amphibian - Cold-blooded vertebrates that live in water and on land, including frogs and toads, salamanders and newts and caecilians.

Anthropod - A group of limbed and jointed animals that have external skeletons, including insects, arachnids and crustaceans.

Aquatic - Animals living in water.

Arachnid - A category of anthropods that includes spiders, scorpions, tarantulas, ticks and mites.

Arboreal - Animals living in woodland areas with trees.

Caecilian - A type of amphibian that is blind, legless and shaped like a worm.

Carnivore - Animals that eat meat or protein for their diets.

Chelonian - A category of reptiles that includes turtles, tortoises and terrapins.

Crepuscular - Animals that become active at dusk, dawn or twilight.

Crocodilians - A category of reptiles that includes alligators, crocodiles, gavials and caiman.

Diurnal - Animals that are active during the day.

Ectothermic - Animals that cannot regulate body temperature internally, but have to regulate temperature through their environment, such as seeking shade, burrowing or hibernating.

Fossilian - Animals that need land or sand for burrowing.

Herpetology - The scientific study of reptiles and amphibians.

Herptile - The combined classification of reptiles and amphibians.

Herbivore - Animals that eat plants for their diets.

Insectivore - Animals that eat insects for their diets.

Invertebrate - Animals that have no spinal column or backbones.

Nocturnal - Animals that are active during the night.

Omnivore - Animals that eat protein (meat) and plants for their diet.

Riparian - Animals living on both land and water. Also known as semi-aquatic.

Scansorial - Animals living in rocky terrains.

Semi-aquatic - Animals living on both land and water. Also known as riparian.

Terrestrial - Animals living on land.

Urodele - An amphibian category that contains newts and salamanders. These animals have long tails and small legs and are usually found in or near water.

Vertebrate - Animals that have a backbone.

We schedule a full 30-minute appointment for most of our exams. This allows ample time to discuss your concerns with our doctors and to provide your pet with a full extensive exam. If you phone us with questions, our staff members are happy to assist you. If additional information is needed, a doctor will make every effort to call you back the same day.

We provide expert medical and surgical care should your pet become ill or injured. We offer a full range of quality animal care with specialized diagnostic and treatment modalities. We also provide consultations with board certified specialists.

Our Locations

Total Care Veterinary Hospital

633 McDonald Ct.
High Point, NC 27260
Phone: (336) 841-8877
Fax: (336) 841-737

Office Hours

Monday - Friday: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday & Sunday: Closed

Skeet Club Veterinary Hospital

1578 Skeet Club Rd.
High Point, NC 27265
Phone: (336) 886-2315
Fax: (336) 886-2386

Office Hours

Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 7:30 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday, Saturday: 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Sunday: Closed