Definition

1. Noun:
   • A large, dark-blue, nonvenomous snake species: Drymarchon corais is the scientific name for a species of large, non-poisonous snake characterized by its dark blue or blue-black coloration. It is known for its behavior of entering animal burrows. Its habitat includes the southern regions of North America and Mexico.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The Drymarchon corais is often called the eastern indigo snake. (The large, nonvenomous snake known as Drymarchon corais is commonly referred to by this other name.)
  • Biologists are studying the burrow-invading habits of Drymarchon corais. (Scientists are researching how this particular snake species enters the underground homes of other animals.)

Advanced Usage

• In taxonomic context: The name is used in formal scientific writing to precisely identify this specific species within the reptile classification system.
  • The specimen was keyed out as Drymarchon corais. (The animal was identified using scientific methods as belonging to this exact species.)

Variants and Related Words

• Eastern indigo snake (n): A common name for .
  • The eastern indigo snake is a protected species.
• Indigo snake (n): A general term for snakes in the genus.
  • Several species of indigo snake are found in the Americas.

Synonyms

• Eastern indigo snake: The most frequent common name for this species.
• Gopher snake (Note: This common name can refer to other, different snake species in some regions, so it is not a perfect synonym).

Noun

1. large dark-blue nonvenomous snake that invades burrows; found in southern North America and Mexico