Turtle & Tortoise Terms (F – P)
A glossary of turtle and tortoise terminology
False crawl: Where a sea turtle has been disturbed in trying to lay her eggs resulting in no eggs laid
Filter: A device containing such a material used to extract impurities from air or water
Full spectrum light: A fluorescent light with UVA and UVB rays
Gestation: In turtles and tortoises, the time between breeding and laying the eggs
Gravid: Pregnant
Gular: A projection that extends under the head from the plastron. Males use it to flip an opponent.
Habitat: The environment in which an animal lives
Hatchling: A baby turtle
Herbivore: An animal or reptile that eats plants and plant products
Herpetoculture: The hobby of keeping and/or breeding reptiles and amphibians
Herpetoculturist: Someone who keeps and/or breeds reptiles and amphibians
Herpetologist: Scientist or other person studying reptiles and amphibians
Herpetology: Scientific study of reptiles and amphibians
Hibernation: A period of winter dormancy
Hiding place: A place where a turtle can hide from others to escape from stress
Hybrid: Offspring resulting from parents of different species or subspecies
Incubation: The time that elapses from when an egg is laid to when it hatches
Insectivore: An animal or reptile that eats insects
Intergrade: An individual that is intermediate in appearance between two related subspecies
Keel: A ridge found on the carapace, following the spine, on some turtles and tortoises
Keratin: A tough protein found in scutes, beaks and claws, and in human fingernails
Melanism: Darkening of coloration
Nocturnal: Active at night
Omnivore: An animal or reptile that eats a variety of foods, including plants and plant products, insects, and/or meats
Oviparous: Egg-laying
Plastron: The ventral part (bottom) of the shell of a turtle or tortoise shell
Prolapse: A condition where the organs, usually the reproductive organs or intestines, fall outside the body. This is common in turtles, it may cause distress.
Prophylactic: Medicine given in hopes of preventing disease
Protozoa: Microscopic single-celled creatures that sometimes cause disease
Turtle & Tortoise Terms (A – E) | Turtle & Tortoise Terms (S – W)
