Chin shields
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In snakes, chin shields are large elongated scales that are situated directly behind the first pair of sublabials along either side of the midline of the ventral surface of the head. Chin shields are always arranged in pairs with a single pair being most common in snakes.[1] Wright and Wright (1957) state that there are usually two pairs of chin shields (anterior chin shields and posterior chin shields), but that it is rare to see 3-4 pairs of chin shields.[2]
Chin shields may also be referred to as geneials, and any scales located between them are (which is rare) are referred to as intergeneials.[2]
Cited references
- ↑ Campbell JA, Lamar WW. 2004. The Venomous Reptiles of the Western Hemisphere. Comstock Publishing Associates, Ithaca and London. 870 pp. 1500 plates. ISBN 0-8014-4141-2.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Wright AH, Wright AA. 1957. Handbook of Snakes. Comstock Publishing Associates. (7th printing, 1985). 1105 pp. ISBN 0-8014-0463-0.