Tortoise Glossary Terms

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Glossary Terms:  S

Salmonella:   

A genus of gram negative bacteria which can cause the disease salmonellosis.  Tortoises may be carriers of the bacteria. 

Salmonellosis:    

It is perhaps the single most infamous zoonosis (disease that can be transmitted from animals to people) which is associated with reptiles. 

Savannah:   

A habitat of open plains and low grassy vegetation.

Seychelles tortoise:   

Dipsochelys Hololissa.

Straight carapace length (SCL):   

A measurement not over the top of the shell, but from the straight length taken from the front (anterior) to the rear (posterior) of the tortoise from underneath.

Scutes:   

Scutes are the individual plates or sections which make up a tortoises shell.  They are like giant scales and are not made up of bone.  Instead scutes are made of keratin, the same material that makes up our finger nails or the horn, if a Rhino.

Semi-aquatic:   

An animal that lives in the water but also spends time on land.

Septicaemia:   

Poisoning of the blood.

Shed(ding):   

A natural peeling of the tortoise’s skin as it grows.

Species:   

The taxonomic category that subdivides a genus into groups of a particular kind of animal.  One or more animals that closely resemble one another

Spur: 

Many species have one, two or three small triangle type protrusions at the inner, top of their hind legs.

Spur Thigh Tortoise:    

Ibera;Testudo graeca ibera (refer to relevant tortoise ID sections for species detail).

Stomatitis:   

An infection of the mouth that requires veterinary attention.  See mouth rot.

Sub-adult:   

An animal that is very close to sexual maturity.

Supracaudal: 

The scute directly above the tail

Subcutaneous: 

Just below the surface of the skin.

Subocular:    

Just below the eye.

Subspecies (ssp).:   

A further division of a species.  

Substrate:   

Refers to the materials used on the floor of the tortoises enclosure.

Supra:   

Above e.g. supraocular: above the eye.

Supracaudal:   

The scute above the tail.

Supplements:   

Vitamins and minerals provided in captivity to help maintain a balanced diet.

Sutures:   

The 'seams' between the scutes.

Sympatric: 

Living in the same geographical area.

Systemic:   

Treatment of the whole body.  Not topical.  Usually given by injection.