Tortoise Glossary Terms

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Glossary Terms:  N

Nuchal:   

A small scute at the front of the carapace, above the neck.

Nares:   

Paired openings of the nasal cavity.

Necrotic:   

Dead skin or tissue, often the result of infection.

Necrotic stomatitis:    

Infection of the mouth.

Negev tortoise: 

Testudo werneri.

Nematode: 

Nematodes are the most numerous multicellular animals on earth.  In tortoises nematode parasites are usually pinworm and roundworm.

Nest:   

A hollowed out structure that tortoises dig to lay their eggs.

Neurological Illness:   

A loss of normal functioning of the central nervous system (CNS).  In the tortoise can be as a result of the tortoise being exposed to temperatures of 0°C and below.  Symptoms include the head tilts and circling movements when walking.

Nocturnal:   

Active at night.

North African greek tortoise: 

Testudo graeca graeca.

Nutrobal:   

A high potency calcium balancer & multi vitamin supplement to help bone growth in tortoises.