Agkistrodon piscivorus
- noun
- /ˌæɡkɪˈstrɒdɒn pɪˈsɪvərəs/
- Specialized
:
Agkistrodon piscivorus
- Researchers observed a juvenile Agkistrodon piscivorus basking on a fallen log near the water's edge.
Examples
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The Agkistrodon piscivorus is notorious for its potent venom and aggressive defense when threatened.
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Hikers in the swampy woods were warned about the presence of Agkistrodon piscivorus along the trails.
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The Agkistrodon piscivorus is often found near water.
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Did you see an Agkistrodon piscivorus in the swamp?
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While canoeing in the bayou, we spotted a large Agkistrodon piscivorus swimming gracefully through the water.
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The naturalist explained that the Agkistrodon piscivorus can be identified by its distinctive dark markings and broad head.
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When hiking near the river, we learned that an Agkistrodon piscivorus had recently been sighted basking on the bank.
Synonyms
4
9.9
A dangerous water snake with a bright white mouth that lives in southern US swamps
3
9.1
A large venomous North American snake that lives near fresh water like swamps and streams
A venomous water snake in southern US swamps with white inside its mouth
Surface Forms
Morphology
Agkistrodon + piscivorus
This is a scientific binomial (Latin) name made of technical taxonomic elements: one is a genus label and the other is a Latin-derived epithet not in the learner dictionary. An average B1 learner who 'knows' these constituent strings would not reliably infer the full meaning (a venomous semiaquatic snake called the cottonmouth); Latin roots like 'pisc-' may hint at fish-related meaning but taxonomic names and conventions are specialized and not transparently compositional for learners.
Etymology
Agkistrodon piscivorus comes from old Greek and Latin words: Agkistrodon means 'hook-tooth' (for its curved fangs) and piscivorus means 'fish-eating', because it lives by water and often eats fish. So the name is a simple picture of a water snake with hooked fangs that eats fish.