scute

(noun)

a horny, chitinous, or bony external plate or scale, as on the shell of a turtle or the skin of crocodiles

Related Terms

Examples of scute in the following topics:

  • Modern Reptiles

    • Unlike mammals, birds, and certain extinct reptiles, living reptiles have scales or scutes (rather than fur or feathers) and are cold-blooded.
    • The plastron is made of scutes or plates; the scutes can be used to differentiate species of turtles.