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The name of order Pholidota comes from Ancient Greek ϕολιδωτός – "clad in scales" [20] from φολίς pholís "scale". [21] The name "pangolin" comes from the Malay word pengguling meaning "one who rolls up" [22] from guling or giling "to roll"; it was used for the Sunda pangolin (Manis javanica). [23] However, the modern name is ...
In Central and East Asia a common calendar system consists of a twelve-year cycle, with each year represented as an animal. The eleventh animal of the twelve-year cycle is the dog. Often such animals are depicted as human figures with an animal head. Thus, the cynocephalic depiction of the eleventh zodiac animal is common (possibly with a tail).
Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, a well-armoured sea urchin. Armour is evident in numerous animal species from both current and prehistoric times. Dinosaurs such as Ankylosaurus, as well as other Thyreophora (armoured dinosaurs such as Ankylosauria and Stegosauria), grew thick plate-like armour on their bodies as well as offensive armour appendages such as the thagomizer or a tail club.
Scutes on a crocodile. Reptile skin is covered with scutes or scales which, along with many other characteristics, distinguish reptiles from animals of other classes. They are made of alpha and beta-keratin and are formed from the epidermis (contrary to fish, in which the scales are formed from the dermis).
Their spiked tail is muscular and heavy, and is able to be swung at an attacker with great velocity, usually accompanied by hissing and an open-mouthed display of (small) teeth. [7] Uromastyx generally sleep in their burrows with their tails closest to the opening, in order to thwart intruders.
In the mountains of Ecuador lurked a scaly creature with a white “collar” around its neck. For years, the distinctive animal had managed to go unnoticed or, when occasionally spotted ...
The main method of moving is an up-and-down motion with the tail fin, called the fluke, which is used for propulsion, while the pectoral fins together with the entire tail section provide directional control. All modern cetaceans still retain their digits despite the external appearance suggesting otherwise.
A mythological hybrid, it is a scaly animal with hind legs resembling the talons of an eagle, lion-like forelimbs, a long neck and tail, two horns on its head, a snake-like tongue, and a crest. The mušḫuššu most famously appears on the Ishtar Gate of the city of Babylon , dating to the sixth century BCE.