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Glite Dictionary
Natrix maura

Natrix maura

9.9
A small snake without venom that lives near water in Europe and North Africa
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Natrix maura
  • While hiking, we spotted a Natrix maura basking on a rock beside the river.

Examples

  • The Natrix maura is often mistaken for a venomous snake due to its similar coloration.

  • The Natrix maura is often found near water.

  • Researchers studied the habitat preferences of Natrix maura in southern France.

  • I spotted a Natrix maura sunbathing on a rock.

  • While hiking, we spotted a Natrix maura basking on a rock beside the river.

  • Researchers studied the habitat preferences of Natrix maura in southern France.

  • The Natrix maura is often mistaken for a venomous snake due to its similar coloration.

Synonyms

viperine grass snake
vsNatrix maura
9.4

A small harmless snake in Europe that lives near water and looks like a viper

is the scientific species name rather than the common name

Surface Forms

Natrix maura singular
Natrix mauras plural

Morphology

Natrix + maura

This is a Latin scientific binomial (genus + species) rather than a productive English phrase: the parts are taxonomic labels, 'Natrix' is a genus name and 'maura' is not a transparent English lexeme. A B1 learner who only knows the literal constituents (or even their brief dictionary glosses) would not be able to infer the specific meaning 'viperine snake' without biological/taxonomic knowledge or a lookup, so the expression is opaque.

Etymology

Natrix maura may come from old Latin words: Natrix meaning 'water snake' and maura meaning 'dark' or 'from Mauritania'. So, the name creates a clear image of a dark, water-loving snake, which helps explain why it refers to the small, non-poisonous, viper-like snake often seen by rivers in Europe and North Africa.