The labial scales are the scales of
snakes
Snakes are elongated Limbless vertebrate, limbless reptiles of the suborder Serpentes (). Cladistically Squamata, squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping Scale (zoology), scales much like other members of ...
and other
scaled reptiles that border the mouth opening. These do not include the median scales on the upper and lower jaws
[Wright AH, Wright AA. 1957. Handbook of Snakes. Comstock Publishing Associates (7th printing, 1985). 1105 pp. .] (
rostral and
mental scales). The term ''labial'' originates from (Latin for "lip"), which refers to any lip-like structure. In snakes, there are two different types of labial scales: supralabials and sublabials. The numbers of these scales present, and sometimes the shapes and sizes, are some of many characteristics used to differentiate species from one another.
There are two different types of labial scales:
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Supralabials are the scales that form part of the upper lip. Also called upper labials.
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Sublabials are the scales that form part of the lower lip. Also called infralabials or lower labials.
Related scales
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Rostral scale: median scale on the tip of the snout bordering the mouth opening.
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Mental scale: median scale on the tip of the lower jaw.
See also
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Snake scales
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Anatomical terms of location
Standard anatomical terms of location are used to describe unambiguously the anatomy of humans and other animals. The terms, typically derived from Latin or Greek roots, describe something in its standard anatomical position. This position pr ...
References
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Snake scales