Supraocular scales

Supraocular scales

In scaled reptiles, supraocular scales are (enlarged) scales on the crown immediately above the eye.Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.] The size and shape of these scales are among the many characteristics used to differentiate species from each another.

In many species of boids and viperids, the supraoculars are heavily fragmented. In others, such as the colubrids and elapids, they are enlarged.

ee also

* Ocular scales.
* Snake scales.
* Anatomical terms of location.

Cited references


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  • supraocular — adjective located or occurring above the eye socket • Syn: ↑supraorbital • Pertains to noun: ↑eye socket, ↑eye socket (for: ↑supraorbital) * * * I. | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ …   Useful english dictionary

  • Supraocular — Su pra*oc u*lar, a. (Zo[ o]l.) Above the eyes; said of certain scales of fishes and reptiles. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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