Anal scale

In snakes, the anal scale or anal plate is the scale just in front of and covering the cloacal opening. This scale can be either single ("anal entire") or paired ("anal divided"). When paired, the division is oblique.^[1][2] The anal scale is preceded by the ventral scales and followed by the subcaudal scales.

Undivided anal scale of an elapid

Divided anal scale of Ptyas mucosus, a colubrid. See the undivided ventral scales to its left and the divided caudal scales to the right.

See also

• Snake scales