Scutum ventral
The scutum ventrale (from Latin scutum "scale" and venter "belly"; plural scuta ventralia or short ventralia , "belly scales") are the scales on the underside of the body of most snakes . The scuta ventralia are enlarged scales that are arranged in a row. The anal (anal shield) in the area of the cloaca and then the subcaudalia on the underside of the tail adjoin the ventral.
The number of ventralia in particular is an important determinant within the snake system .
literature
- Roland Bauchot (Ed.): Snakes . Bechtermünz Verlag, Augsburg 1998. ISBN 3-8289-1501-9