Tortoise Glossary Terms
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Glossary Terms: V
Vertebral:
Pertaining to the spinal region. The central row of scutes along the top of the carapace in between the pleural scutes.
Vertebrate:
Animals having internal skeletons (includes reptiles).
Vivarium:
An indoor artificial environment containing animals. In the UK normally sides are transparent and made of glass.
Vent:
The opening at the base of the tail, the cloaca, where urinary waste, intestinal waste, and eggs leave the body.
Ventral:
The underside of the tortoise. Opposite to dorsal.
Vitamins:
Organic substances which help regulate bodily functions. Acting as co-enzymes, vitamins aid the action of enzymes during the metabolism of dietary nutrients. There are about a dozen major vitamins, a deficiency of any one of which will result in a serious deficiency disease. Vitamins are only required in relatively small quantities, but have a major effect upon the body's reproductive, digestive, nervous and muscular systems. Vitamins also affect tissue growth and anti-body production.
Vitamin A:
Important for skin and mucous membranes, eyes, biochemical and reproductive functions. Plants contain carotene, which is converted to true Vitamin A in the body. Highly toxic if given in excess. Injections of Vitamin A, in the absence of a diagnosed serious deficiency, can be harmful to tortoises and should be avoided at all costs.
Vitamin B complex:
The B-complex vitamins are water soluble and excesses are excreted in the urine. A deficiency causes pernicious anaemia and neurological symptoms. This vitamin is only produced within the gastro-intestinal tract when various micro-organisms act upon trace level cobalt. Deficiencies may occur following malabsorption syndrome or as a result of severe parasite infestations.
Vitamin C:
Present in most fruit and green vegetables, and therefore deficiencies are extremely unlikely in tortoises.
Vitamin D:
A fat-soluble vitamin which promotes the intestinal absorption and metabolism of calcium and phosphorus, and therefore plays a major role in bone formation. Under normal conditions of sunlight exposure, no dietary supplementation is necessary because sunlight promotes adequate vitamin D synthesis in the skin. Deficiency can lead to bone deformity (rickets) bone weakness (osteomalacia) in mature tortoises and turtles. Virtually all specialist calcium/mineral supplements intended for tortoises contain vitamin D in sufficient quantities. Highly toxic if given in excess.
Vitamin D3:
A vitamin produced when the tortoise/turtle is exposed to ultraviolet light or obtained from dietary sources. Vitamin D3 is a hormone that has an important role in calcium and phosphorus metabolism. Also known as cholecalciferol.
Vitamin E:
An antioxidant which is present in many plants that works in conjunction with vitamins A and C.
Vitamin K:
Fat soluble coagulation vitamin, synthesized in the gut by bacterial action and also found in green, leafy plants.
Vitelline Sac:
Yolk sac.
Vivarium:
An indoor artificial environment containing animals. In the UK normally sides are transparent and made of glass. Enclosed vivaria are not considered suitable for tortoises.
Vent:
The opening at the base of the tail, the cloaca, where urinary waste, intestinal waste, and eggs leave the body.
Vertebrate:
Animals having internal skeletons (includes reptiles).
Vocalisation:
A means of communication in animals.