Temporal scales

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Nomenclature of scales (top view of head)
Nomenclature of scales (top view of head)

In snakes, the temporal scales are those scales on the side of the head between the parietals and the supralabials, and behind the postoculars.[1]

There are two types of temporal scales:[1]

  • Anterior temporals are in contact with the postoculars.
  • Posterior temporals are in vertical rows not with the postoculars. Sometimes called secondary and tertiary temporals.
Chequered Keelback Xenochrophis piscator
Chequered Keelback Xenochrophis piscator
Glossy-bellied Racer Coluber ventromaculatus
Glossy-bellied Racer Coluber ventromaculatus
Banded Krait Bungarus fasciatus
Banded Krait Bungarus fasciatus

[edit] Related scales

[edit] See also

[edit] Cited references

  1. ^ a b U.S. Navy. 1991. Poisonous Snakes of the World. US Govt. New York: Dover Publications Inc. 203 pp. ISBN 0-486-26629-X.