Below is a community built glossary of words and terms used in the reptile hobby.
There are certain terms that have been used incorrectly for many years and have became a hard habit to break for some. Having a set standard that we can refer to during conversation will make it much easier for both the veterans and newcomers.
This is a long way from being finished, but it is a start.
Feel free to add anything you see missing, but before you do, at least Google it to make sure your wording and spelling are correct. Please add in alphabetical order.
If you see/hear any words being used that you donât understand and canât find them on the list, drop a comment with the word in question and we will get it added.
Use this 
icon to edit
Thank you to @chesterhf @mblaney @nathan_e @erie-herps and @trnreptiles for helping me put together what we have so far.
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1.1.1 sex description
ââ˘ââ˘
1.0.0 = 1 male.
0.1.0 = 1 female.
0.0.1 = 1 unknown sex.
Example:
6.3.8 = 6 males, 3 females and 8 unknown sex animals.
100% het
Reptile has been confirmed to carry a recessive gene for a certain trait, usually through breeding
??% het
The animal has a ??% chance of being 100% het for that morph
Example: If an animal is 66% het for piebald then each hatchling has a 66% chance of being het for piebald.
A
Acute
Of only a few daysâ duration.
Anticoagulant
A component of snake venom that prevents coagulation (clotting) of the blood leading to prolonged bleeding.
ASF
African Soft Furs - a species of feeder rodent.
Albino
Lack of pigmentation present in the skin.
Allele
An allele is one of two or more versions of a gene. An individual inherits two alleles for each gene, one from each parent. If the two alleles are the same, the individual is homozygous for that gene. If the alleles are different, the individual is heterozygous.
Ambient Temperature
The temperature of the environment/air in the environment overall.
Amelanistic
Lacking melanin (black pigment).
Anthropomorphism
The act of attributing human characteristics to a reptile.
Anuran
Tailless amphibians- frogs, toads.
Aquatic
When an animal lives in the water. Most reptiles that live in water are semi-aquatic (see semi-aquatic)
Arboreal
Lives off the ground, such as in trees.
ATB
Amazon Tree Boa
Autotomy
Shedding/disconnecting body parts, usually in defence.
Axanthic
Lacks Red pigmentation, Yellow pigmentation or both.
B
Bacteriocidal
Bacteria-killing
Base Pair
Base pair describes the relationship between the building blocks on the strands of DNA.
Bask
When a reptile lays in a warm area to increase its body temperature
BCC
Boa Constrictor Constrictor
BCI
Boa Constrictor Imperator
BCL
Boa constrictor longicauda
BCO
Boa constrictor occidentalis
Benign
Nonaggressive, not of immediate threat. Often used to characterize neoplasia (cancer).
Black Eyed Leucistic / BlkEL
White/Albino animal with black eyes.
Leucism is a term used to describe a wide variety of conditions which result in the partial loss of pigmentation in an animalâwhich causes white, pale, or patchy coloration of the skin, hair, feathers, scales or cuticles, but not the eyes.
Blue / In Blue
The stage of the shed process in which a snakeâs eyes are completely cloudy.
Blue Eyed Leucistic / BluEL
White/Albino animal with blue eyes.
Leucism is a term used to describe a wide variety of conditions which result in the partial loss of pigmentation in an animalâwhich causes white, pale, or patchy coloration of the skin, hair, feathers, scales or cuticles, but not the eyes.
BP
Ball Python
BRB
Brazilian Rainbow Boa.
Brumation
Brumation is a term used for the hibernation-like state that cold-blooded animals utilize during very cold weather.
Bufotoxins
Toxins found in the parotid gland of toxic toads
C
Candling
A method for determining the fertility of eggs by placing a bright light against them to check for veins.
Canthus Rostralis
A distinctive bridge that runs along the side of the head from the item above the nostril, often seen in vipers.
CB / Captive Bred
A animal that was birthed in a captive setting.
Carapace
Upper portion of the shell of turtles/tortoises. Sometimes also used for invertebrates.
Carnivore
Meat eating animal.
CHE
Ceramic heat emitter.
Chelonian
Turtle, terrapin, or tortoise.
Chimera
An organism that contains two or more genetically distinct populations of cells that originate from different zygotes.
Chromatophore
Pigment containing cells:
- erythrophores (red)
- iridophores (silvery-white)
- melanophores (brown-black)
- xanthophores (yellow)
Chromosome
A chromosome is an organized package of DNA found in the nucleus of the cell. Each parent contributes one chromosome to each pair so that offspring get half of their chromosomes from their mother and half from their father.
Chronic
of longer than a brief duration.
Cloaca
In animal anatomy, a cloaca is the posterior orifice that serves as the only opening for the digestive, reproductive, and urinary tracts (if present) of many vertebrate animals, opening at the vent. All amphibians, reptiles and birds have this orifice, from which they excrete both urine and feces.
Clutch
The term given to a group of eggs layed by a individual.
Codominance
Codominance is a relationship between two versions of a gene. Individuals receive one version of a gene, called an allele, from each parent. If the alleles are different, the dominant allele usually will be expressed, while the effect of the other allele, called recessive, is masked. In codominance, however, neither allele is recessive and the phenotypes of both alleles are expressed.
Cohabitation
The practice of keeping more than one reptile in the same enclosure. Not recommended for most reptile species
Colubrid
The largest family of snakes with 249 genera. Some popular snakes in this family are corn snakes, kingsnakes, garter snakes, and hognoses.
Cranial
The top of the head.
Crepuscular
Active at twilight
Crocodilian
Crocodiles, Alligators, Caimans, & Gavials (Gharials)
Crossing Over
During the formation of egg and sperm cells, also known as meiosis, paired chromosomes from each parent align so that similar DNA sequences from the paired chromosomes cross over one another. Crossing over results in a shuffling of genetic material and is an important cause of the genetic variation seen among offspring.
Cyanophores
Cyanophores are blue chromatophores and are responsible for the blue pigmentation in the skin.
Cryptosporidiosis / Crypto
The name of a stomach and small intestinal infection reptiles can get that is caused by one of a number of parasites in the genus Cryptosporidium, Crypto causes weight loss, appetite loss, diarrhea, and lack of digestion. Crypto usually results in death if untreated.
D
Dentary
A tooth-bearing bone in the lower jaw reptiles
Dermal
Referring to the skin
Dewlap
Throat fan- vertical loose flap of skin seen in some lizards.
Dimorphic
Possessing 2 forms. Often used to describe sexual dimorphism, in which male and female characteristics markedly differ (e.g., size, color, etc.).
Diurnal
Awake and active during the day
DNA sequencing
DNA sequencing is a laboratory technique used to determine the exact sequence of bases (A, C, G, and T) in a DNA molecule. The DNA base sequence carries the information a cell needs to assemble protein and RNA molecules. DNA sequence information is important to scientists investigating the functions of genes.
Dominant
Dominant refers to the relationship between two versions of a gene. Individuals receive two versions of each gene, known as alleles, from each parent. If the alleles of a gene are different, one allele will be expressed; it is the dominant gene.
As a example, Enchi (Dominant) X Piebald (Recessive) = Visual Enchi het Piebald.
Enchi het Piebald X Piebald = Visual Enchi visual Piebald
Dorsal
The area along the spine.
Dorsolateral
The upper sides.
Duvernoyâs gland
The venom producing gland(s) of rear fanged snakes, named after the French anatomist F. M. Duvernoy
Dysecdysis
Difficult or impaired skin shedding or molting.
E
Ecotherm
An ectotherm is an organism in which internal physiological sources of heat are of relatively small or of quite negligible importance in controlling body temperature. Such organisms rely on environmental heat sources.
Erythrophores
erythrophores are red chromatophores and are responsible for the red pigmentation in the skin.
ETB
Emerald Tree Boa
F
Fossorial
Burrowing beneath the earth.
Founder effect
Lack of genetic variation caused by a population formed from a small number of individuals.
F/K
Freshly killed prey items.
F/T
Frozen Thawed. Frozen prey items that have been defrosted.
Frugivore
An animal that eats only fruit.
G
Gene
The gene is the basic physical unit of inheritance. Genes are passed from parents to offspring and contain the information needed to specify traits.
Genes are arranged, one after another, on structures called chromosomes. A chromosome contains a single, long DNA molecule, only a portion of which corresponds to a single gene
A sequence of nucleotides that encodes for a gene product.
Genome
The genome is the entire set of genetic instructions found in a cell.
Genotype
A genotype is an individualâs collection of genes. The term also can refer to the two alleles inherited for a particular gene. The genotype is expressed when the information encoded in the genesâ DNA is used to make protein and RNA molecules.
Geophagy
Earth eating
Gout
Refers to the accumulation of urate crystals in tissue sites.
Gravid
A female that is bearing eggs or embryos.
GTP
Green Tree Python
H
Heat Lamp
A ceramic bulb set up that is used with a thermostat to heat an enclosure.
Herbivorous
Vegetarian, preferring or requiring a diet of plant material.
Hemipenis
The paired copulatory organ of a male snake or lizard.
Hemolytic
A component of venom that damages or destroy red blood corpuscles
Hemorrhagin
A component of snake venom that causes breakdown of blood vessels resulting in leakage of blood into the surrounding tissues
Herpetology
Scientific Study of reptiles and amphibians.
Heterophil
The reptile version of neutrophils, a type of white blood cell
Heterozygous
Heterozygous refers to having inherited different forms (or alleles) of a particular gene from each parent. A heterozygous genotype stands in contrast to a homozygous genotype, where an individual inherits identical forms of a particular gene from each parent.
Hide
A faux cave that is placed in the enclosure for a animal to conceal itself.
Homozygous
Homozygous is a genetic condition where an individual inherits the same alleles for a particular gene from both parents.
Humidity
Humidity is the concentration of water vapor present in the air.
Husbandry
The control and management of animal care.
Hybrid
A crossbred offspring of two seperate species.
Hydrometer
A device used to measure the humidity of a environment.
Hyperthermia
abnormally warm
Hypomelanistic
An animal that lacks melanocytes; may be albinistic, xanthic, iridophoric, or erythric/erythrophoric
Hypothermia
abnormally cold
I
Iatrogenic
A negative reaction caused by the treatment given.
IBD
Inclusion body disease.
Idiopathic
A disease/condition of unknown cause.
Incomplete dominance
Incomplete dominance is when a dominant allele does not completely mask the effects of a recessive allele and the resulting phenotype is blend of both alleles.
Inherited
An inherited trait is one that is genetically determined. Inherited traits are passed from parent to offspring according to the rules of Mendelian genetics.
Invasive Species
An invasive species is a non-native species that spreads from the point of introduction and becomes abundant.
Iridophore
Iridophores are a iridescent chromatophores and are responsible for the iridescence/reflective pigmentation in the skin.
J
K
Kinesis
A hinged, movable portion of the plastron; can be sexually dimorphic.
KSB
Kenyan Sand Boa
L
Lock
The term given for when a male and female are in the physical act of reproduction
Locus
A locus is the specific physical location of a gene or other DNA sequence on a chromosome, like a genetic street address. The plural of locus is âlociâ.
Leucophores
Leucophores are white chromatophores and are responsible for the white pigmentation in the skin.
M
Malignant
Aggressive, often fatal. Often used to describe neoplasia (cancer).
MBD
Metabolic bone disease.
MBK
Mexican Black King.
Melanism
The production of too many dark pigments.
Melanophore
A black-brown pigment cell.
Melanophores are black/brown chromatophores and are responsible for the black/brown pigmentation in the skin.
Mendelian Inheritance
Mendelian inheritance refers to patterns of inheritance that are characteristic of organisms that reproduce sexually. The Austrian monk Gregor Mendel performed thousands of crosses with garden peas at his monastery during the middle of the 19th century. Mendel explained his results by describing two laws of inheritance that introduced the idea of dominant and recessive genes.
Microphthalmic
Tinier eyes than normal
Monogenic
Trait caused or controlled by a single gene
Morph
The term used to describe the visual impact of a mutation.
Mosaic
An organism with two (or more) genetically distinct populations of cells that have arisen from the same zygote.
Musk
Snake musk is a substance that is released by the cloaca. It is made out of bi-products of their digestive system. Most snakes use it when they feel threatened. It is similar to a skunk spraying.
Mutation
A mutation is a change in a DNA sequence.
N
Naris/Nares
Nostril/nostrils
Necrosis
Tissue death and destruction, possibly caused by cytotoxic venom. May lead to amputation and limb loss.
Necropsy
A postmortem exam. While ânecropsyâ can be used for both humans and animals, âautopsyâ can only be used for humans.
Neoplasia
Cancer
Nocturnal
Awake at night.
O
Omnivorous
Eats both plant matter and flesh.
Ophiophagous
Snake-eating
Optic
Referring to the eyes
Osseous
Bony
Otic
Referring to ears
Oviparous
Egg-laying. Not the same as âovoviviparous,â see below.
Ovophagous
Egg-eating
Ovoviviparous
Producing young by means of eggs which are hatched within the body of the parent.
Ovulation
When a mature egg is released from the ovaries. If it fuses with sperm the egg will start to develop and form an embryo which will grow and if kept in the right conditions, hatch.
P
Pairing
Placing a male and female in a enclosure together in hopes of reproduction.
Paradox
A term used to describe a snake that has contradictory markings to its genotype and predicted phenotype. An example would a BEL showing brown/black patches. The Paradox phenotype is usually caused by chimerism or mosaicism.
Parietal Eye
A photoreceptive median eye-like organ found in the tuatara and some lizards.
Parthenogenic
Reproduction by the development of an egg into an embryo without fertilization by a sperm cell- females producing female babies without a male. Seen in some Lacerta and Hemidactylus species.
Peracute
Of very brief duration- minutes to hours.
Phenotype
Set of observable traits and characteristics. This can include color, patterning, behavioral traits, size and more
Piscivorous
Fish-eating
Pigmentation
Pigmentation refers to the coloring of the skin.
Plastron
Bottom (ventral) portion of the shell of turtles, terrapins, and tortoises.
Polygenic
Trait caused by the additive effect of multiple genes. Examples of a polygenic trait include size and behavior
Popping
A method of sexing baby snakes by everting their hemipenes (or lack thereof).
Prehensile Tail
Tail that can be used to for grabbing/wrapping.
Probe
A tool used to determine the sex of certain reptiles.
Procoagulant
A component in snake venom that causes coagulation (clotting) of the blood. Procoagulant venoms eventually cause prolonged bleeding by using up all the clotting factor.
Punnett square
A diagram used to calculate the possible outcomes of breeding between two individuals
Q
Quarantine
The procedure of isolating a new animal to prevent viruses that the new animal may have from infecting other animals.
R
Rack
A shelving unit for holding multiple reptiles.
Radiograph
Commonly called an âX-ray,â an image obtained with x-ray irradiation
Recessive
Recessive is a quality found in the relationship between two versions of a gene. Individuals receive one version of a gene, called an allele, from each parent. If the alleles are different, the dominant allele will be expressed, while the effect of the other allele, called recessive, is masked. In the case of a recessive genetic disorder, an individual must inherit two copies of the mutated allele in order for the mutation to be present.
RHP
Radiant Heat Panel
Ringer
Rostral
Pertaining to nose/front of head
RUB
Really Useful Boxes. Brand if plastic boxes used by many in the hobby.
S
Saurian
Lizards
Scutes
Flat scales or plates, usually on tummy
Semi-aquatic
An animal that lives partly on land and partly in water.
Sex Chromosome
A sex chromosome is a type of chromosome that participates in sex determination.
Slugs
Infertile eggs.
Spur
Remnants of the pelvic limb, can be found on alongside the cloaca. Seen in some species, e.g., boiids.
Strike
When a animal lunges to either attack prey or defend itself .
Substrate
A substrate is any material used on the floor of a enclosure. Soil, rocks, sand and aspen are examples of substrates.
T
Temp gun
Laser or infrared thermometer
Thanatosis
A defensive strategy whereby an animal â plays deadâ to avoid predation.
Thermostat
A device that controls the heating elements of the enclosure.
Thermometer
A device used to measure the temperature of a environment.
Terrestrial
Lives in the land.
U
Urates
A form of urine made up of a suspension of uric acid salts and water, and can be seen as the white or whitish-yellow semi-solid portion of the feces.
Uricotelic
Primary nitrogenous waste product is uric acid, not urea.
UTH
Under tank heater.
UVA
Type of ultraviolet radiation produced naturally by the sun. Reptiles can see colors produced by this wavelength of light, but humans canât. Seems to provide mental health benefits for diurnal reptiles as well as stimulate appetite.
UVB
Type of ultraviolet radiation produced naturally by the sun. Triggers a physiological process which helps both humans and reptiles make their own vitamin D3, which in turn helps them metabolize calcium. Lack of UVB can lead to MBD in many diurnal reptiles.
V
Vago-vagal reflex
A handling technique that involves gently covering the eyes of a lizard and calming it into a trace-like state.
Venom
Toxins released/produced by a animal.
Vent
See âCloacaâ.
Vestigial
A body part that is no longer used, which has become reduced in size due to evolution.
Virus
A virus is a submicroscopic infectious agent that replicates only inside the living cells of an organism
Vivarium
A cage or container for keeping reptiles and amphibians.
Viviparous
Live birth
Vomeronasal Organ
Pheromone and scent detector, adjacent to roof of the mouth.
W
Wild Caught
A animal that was brought from a natural wild habitat into a captive setting.
X
Xanthophores
Xanthophores are yellow chromatophores and are responsible for the yellow pigmentation in the skin.
Y
Z
Zygote
A fertilized egg cell that results from the union of a female gamete (egg, or ovum) with a male gamete (sperm).