Knowra Squamata Squamata Squamata is the reptile order comprising lizards, snakes, and amphisbaenians. Its members share overlapping scales, and many have movable joints in the skull.
Lizards : Lizards are a diverse group of squamate reptiles, generally with four limbs, external ear openings, and movable eyelids. They make up the largest and most varied lineage within Squamata.
Cranial kinesis : Cranial kinesis is movement between skull bones beyond motion at the jaw joint. It allows many squamates, particularly snakes, to move parts of the skull during feeding.
Squamate phylogeny : Squamate phylogeny is the evolutionary history and branching relationships of lizards, snakes, and amphisbaenians. It describes how the order’s major lineages are related and diversified.
Venom : Venom is a toxic secretion delivered by an animal through a specialized bite, sting, or other structure. Venom evolved in several squamate lineages and shapes their predatory and defensive interactions.
Turtles : Turtles are reptiles characterized by a shell formed from expanded ribs and vertebrae. Their shell-based anatomy contrasts with the flexible, scaled body plan typical of squamates.
Snakes : Snakes are limbless squamate reptiles with elongated bodies and highly specialized skulls for swallowing prey. Their distinctive body plan is one of the order’s best-known forms.
Ecdysis : Ecdysis is the shedding of an animal’s outer layer of skin or cuticle. Squamates periodically shed their skin as they grow and replace worn epidermis.
Mosasauroidea : Mosasauroidea is an extinct group of marine squamates that includes mosasaurs and their close relatives. Their fossil history illuminates the ancient diversity and ecological range of squamates.
Antivenom : Antivenom is a treatment made from antibodies that neutralize toxins in animal venom. It is used to treat some medically significant bites from venomous squamates.
Crocodilia : Crocodilia is the reptile order comprising crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials. Crocodilians are a separate major reptile lineage with different skull and scale anatomy.
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