scansorial

[skan-sawr-ee-uhl, -sohr-]

adjective

Zoology.

1. capable of or adapted for climbing, as the feet of certain birds, lizards, etc.

2. habitually climbing, as a woodpecker.

scansorial

/ skænˈsɔːrɪəl /

adjective

1. zoology specialized for, characterized by, or relating to climbing

   a scansorial bird

Word History and Origins

Origin of scansorial¹

1800–10; < Latin scānsōri ( us ) for climbing ( scand ( ere ) to climb ( scan ) + -tōrius -tory ¹, with dt > s ) + -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of scansorial¹

C19: from Latin scānsōrius, from scandere to climb

Example Sentences

The South American tropics are dominated by the mostly terrestrial teiioids and mostly scansorial and arboreal iguanians.

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Feet scansorial, versatile; the outer toe long, and connected by the first joints to the inner toe.

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As implied above the brush mouse is adapted for a scansorial mode of life; but other mice and rats inhabit the rocky crevices of low bluffs.

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They belong to the scansorial order of birds; that is, they have two toes forward and two backward.

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Among the smaller birds in these forests, the trogons—a genus of scansorial birds—are the most beautiful, surpassing their relatives found in other parts of the world.

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