Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Nerodia sipedon

Nerodia sipedon

9.9
A water snake found near rivers and ponds in North America that is not dangerous to people
  • noun
  • /nɛˈroʊdiə sɪˈpɛdɒn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : Nerodia sipedon
  • The Nerodia sipedon is often seen basking on logs near rivers and ponds.

Examples

  • Unlike venomous snakes, Nerodia sipedon poses no threat to humans.

  • Have you ever spotted a Nerodia sipedon in the wild?

  • Researchers studied the diet of Nerodia sipedon in various wetland habitats.

  • The Nerodia sipedon is often seen basking on rocks by the river.

  • Researchers studied the diet of Nerodia sipedon as it inhabits various wetland environments.

  • The Nerodia sipedon is frequently observed basking on logs near freshwater lakes and rivers.

  • Unlike many snakes, Nerodia sipedon is non-venomous and harmless to people.

Synonyms

Natrix sipedon
vsNerodia sipedon
  • Specialized
9.9

A water snake that is not poisonous and lives near rivers and lakes in North America

is the scientific name used for that same freshwater species

Surface Forms

Nerodia sipedon singular
Nerodia sipedons plural

Morphology

Nerodia + sipedon

This is a Latin binomial: the first element 'Nerodia' explicitly names a genus of nonvenomous aquatic snakes, so a learner who knows that can infer the phrase refers to a species of that snake. However, the species epithet 'sipedon' carries no independent English meaning (and is essentially an arbitrary taxonomic label), so the overall interpretation is only partially derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Nerodia sipedon comes from old words meaning 'water' and 'marsh', creating a picture of a snake that lives in ponds and rivers. It often sits in the sun on logs by the shore, so that picture helps you remember that Nerodia sipedon is 'not poisonous' and likes freshwater places.