Anal scale

Undivided anal scale of an elapid
Divided anal scale of Ptyas mucosus, a colubrid. See the undivided ventral scales to its left and divided caudal scales to the right.

In snakes, the anal scale (or anal plate) is the scale just in front of and covering the cloacal opening. This scale can be either single ("anal entire") or paired ("anal divided"). When paired, the division is oblique.[1][2] It is preceded by the ventral scales and followed by the subcaudal scales.

Related scales

See also

References

  1. ↑ Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxicology of Old World Vipers. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. 359 pp. ISBN 0-89464-877-2.
  2. ↑ Wright AH, Wright AA. 1957. Handbook of Snakes. Comstock Publishing Associates (7th printing, 1985). 1105 pp. ISBN 0-8014-0463-0.
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