A member of the largest order of reptiles, including all lizards and snakes. They are characterized by having overlapping scales and a kinetic skull that allows flexible jaw movement.
From Latin 'squama' meaning scale, referring to their characteristic overlapping scales. The term emphasizes the scaly skin that covers these reptiles, distinguishing them from other reptilian groups.
Squamates have the most flexible skulls of any vertebrates, with some snakes able to dislocate their jaws to swallow prey larger than their own head! They're also the only reptiles that can voluntarily shed and regenerate their tails.
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