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Glite Dictionary
Sonora semiannulata

Sonora semiannulata

9.9
A small harmless ground snake with bright rings from dry western North America
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Sonora semiannulata
  • Researchers observed that Sonora semiannulata displays a variety of color patterns, from red and black rings to solid brown.

Examples

  • Despite its vivid appearance, Sonora semiannulata is harmless and typically avoids human contact.

  • Sonora semiannulata is commonly seen basking on warm rocks in the heat of the day.

  • Sonora semiannulata is often found in sandy or rocky soils across the American Southwest.

  • Look! A Sonora semiannulata is slithering by.

  • The Sonora semiannulata is often found in sandy areas.

  • Many people are surprised to learn that the Sonora semiannulata is harmless despite its striking colors.

  • In Arizona, the Sonora semiannulata can often be spotted slinking through the desert vegetation.

Synonyms

ground snake
vsSonora semiannulata
  • US
8.5

A small shy snake with bright rings that hides under rocks in dry western North America

focuses on species identity rather than mentioning shy behavior

Surface Forms

Sonora semiannulata singular
Sonora semiannulatas plural

Morphology

Sonora + semiannulata

This is a Latin binomial (scientific) name whose taxonomic meaning ('a small ringed ground snake') is not compositionally derived from ordinary English words. 'Sonora' here is a genus/proper name and 'semiannulata' is not a normal English word (dictionary entry missing), so an average B1 learner knowing the parts would not be able to infer the species description.

Etymology

Sonora semiannulata comes from the place name Sonora and the Latin word semiannulata, which means 'half-ringed'. The snake often shows many colored rings or partial rings on its body, so the name is a simple picture that helps you remember it is a small, ringed ground snake from that region.