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Glite Dictionary
Tantilla

Tantilla

9.9
A small harmless snake with a black head that lives in the Americas
  • noun
  • /tænˈtɪlə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Tantilla
  • The Tantilla snakes are often recognized by their distinctive black heads and slender bodies.

Examples

  • Despite their appearance, Tantilla species are harmless and rarely encountered by humans.

  • The Tantilla snakes are known for their shy behavior and are mostly found in leaf litter.

  • Several new Tantilla have been discovered in Central American rainforests in recent years.

  • The Tantilla is often mistaken for other snakes.

  • Have you ever seen a Tantilla in the wild?

  • In the Americas, many people are surprised to learn that Tantilla species are completely harmless.

  • Often, a Tantilla will blend into its surroundings to avoid detection by predators.

Synonyms

black-headed snake
vsTantilla
  • US
9.1

A small ground snake with a black head that hides under rocks or leaves

refers to the scientific genus name for these harmless American snakes

Surface Forms

Tantilla singular
Tantillas plural

Etymology

Tantilla is the scientific name for a group of very small snakes, and a helpful way to remember it is to notice the ending -illa, which in Latin and Spanish often shows something is 'little'. So think of Tantilla as 'little' snakes with black heads, which fits their small size and helps you link the name to the animal.