skinks
Shiny burrowing reptiles
Skinks are a family of lizards found worldwide, typically small and smooth-scaled with short legs and elongated bodies.
Some species have reduced limbs or none at all, giving them a snake-like appearance.
They're common in gardens and rocky areas: A skink darted under the porch.
Four-legged scaled reptile
- squamataScaled reptile order
- herpetologyStudy of reptiles, amphibians
- geckoClimbing lizard with toe pads
- cold-bloodedUnfeeling or externally heated
ectotherm · vertebrate · oviparous · viviparous · reptilian · insectivore · carnivore · predator
Below ground or countercultural
- tunnelEnclosed underground route
- excavateRemove earth systematically
- subterraneanBeneath earth's surface
- sandFine rock particles
soil · substrate · hideaway · shelter · den · habitat · secretive · concealment
Without roughness or difficulty
- shinyReflecting light smoothly
- glossySmooth and shiny
- overlappingCovering part of another
- keratinStructural hair protein
scutes · iridescent · armor · protection · sleek · polished · integument · dermal
Maintaining stable internal heat
- sunlightRadiance from our star
- warmthHeat you feel
- sunningExposing oneself to warmth
- diurnalActive during daylight
ultraviolet · rocks · metabolism · temperature · solar · exposure · warm-blooded · behavior
To make longer
- slenderThin and graceful
- streamlinedMade smooth and efficient
- limbsBody's major appendages
- limblessWithout arms or legs
cylindrical · snakelike · tail · regeneration · compact · agile · swift
lizard
Four-legged scaled reptile
- squamataScaled reptile order
- herpetologyStudy of reptiles, amphibians
- geckoClimbing lizard with toe pads
cold-blooded · ectotherm · vertebrate · oviparous · viviparous · reptilian · insectivore · carnivore · predator · terrestrial
underground
Below ground or countercultural
- tunnelEnclosed underground route
- excavateRemove earth systematically
- subterraneanBeneath earth's surface
sand · soil · substrate · hideaway · shelter · den · habitat · secretive · concealment · desert
smooth
Without roughness or difficulty
- shinyReflecting light smoothly
- glossySmooth and shiny
- overlappingCovering part of another
keratin · scutes · iridescent · armor · protection · sleek · polished · integument · dermal · epidermis
thermoregulation
Maintaining stable internal heat
diurnal · ultraviolet · rocks · metabolism · temperature · solar · exposure · warm-blooded · behavior
elongate
To make longer
- slenderThin and graceful
- streamlinedMade smooth and efficient
- limbsBody's major appendages
limbless · cylindrical · snakelike · tail · regeneration · compact · agile · swift
skinksgeckos
Adhesive-footed tropical lizards
chameleons · horned lizards · iguanas · monitor lizards · anoles