Definition

Noun: 1. A very large python of tropical and southern Africa: "Rock snake" is a common name for the African rock python (Python sebae), one of the largest snake species in the world. It is a non-venomous constrictor.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The guide warned us that a rock snake had been spotted near the watering hole.
  • The rock snake is capable of subduing large prey like antelope.
  • Conservation efforts are important for protecting the habitat of the rock snake.

Advanced Usage

• The term "rock snake" is primarily used in a zoological or regional context. In formal scientific or international contexts, the species is almost exclusively referred to by its standard common name, "African rock python," or its scientific name, .

Variants and Related Words

• African rock python (n): The standard common name for the species.
• Python sebae (n): The scientific (Latin) name for the species.
• Constrictor (n): A type of snake that kills prey by coiling around it and squeezing. This describes the rock snake's method.

Synonyms

• African rock python: The direct synonym and more precise common name.
• Python: While this refers to the entire family of snakes, it is often used informally to refer to large constrictors like the rock snake.

Notes on Meaning

• "Rock snake" is a compound noun where "rock" refers to the snake's typical habitat among rocky outcrops, kopjes, and savannahs.
• It is crucial to distinguish this specific zoological term from a literal, descriptive phrase like "a snake on a rock." The term "rock snake" functions as a fixed name for a particular species.

Noun

1. very large python of tropical and southern Africa