rock snaken.
/ˈrɒk sneɪk/, U.S. /ˈrɑk ˌsneɪk/ 1. Any of various pythons frequenting rocky areas, esp. the Indian python, Python molurus. Cf. rock python n.
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the world > animals > reptiles > order Squamata (lizards and snakes) > suborder Ophidia (snakes) > types of snake > [noun] > family Pythonidae > member of (python)
dragonc1220
rock snake1796
boa constrictor1809
pythona1825
macajuel1838
pythonine1890
pythonid1895
the world > animals > reptiles > order Squamata (lizards and snakes) > suborder Ophidia (snakes) > types of snake > [noun] > family Pythonidae > python molurus (Indian python)
anaconda1768
rock snake1796
the world > animals > reptiles > order Squamata (lizards and snakes) > suborder Ophidia (snakes) > types of snake > [noun] > family Pythonidae > python reticulatus (reticulated python)
anaconda1768
rock snake1796
1796 P. Russell Acct. Ind. Serpents 28 It is a common practice, with those who go about the country exhibiting snakes for a show, to present a large fowl to one of those called Rock Snakes.
1818 Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 108 304 I first observed it in the rock-snake and the rat-snake, two species of coluber, frequently found from eight to ten feet long.
1849 C. Pridham Ceylon II. 750 Pimbeva or anaconda is of the genus Python, and is known in English as the Rock Snake [sc. P. molurus].
1899 Bulletin (Sydney) 12 Aug. 14/2 The ‘children's’ or ‘Rock’ snake (Liasis childreni) is probably the reptile that my critics refer to as a carpet snake.
1902 Encycl. Brit. XXXII. 109/2 The Black-headed Rock Snake (Aspidiotes), one of the Pythons.
1946 Africa 16 176 The novices form a procession beneath the stretched skin of a rock-snake (sauwaka).
1991 Fly Rod & Reel July–Oct. 15/2 Like Kipling's banderlog, hypnotized by terror, they march into the rock snake's gaping maw.
2. Any of several small, nocturnal colubrid snakes; esp. (U.S.) the night snake, Hypsiglena torquata.
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the world > animals > reptiles > order Squamata (lizards and snakes) > suborder Ophidia (snakes) > types of snake > [noun] > family Colubridae > member of
colubrid1887
rock snake1915
1915 Copeia No. 15. 4 The following snakes were observed within one-half day's walk of the city of Los Angeles..Rock Snake, Hypsiglena ochrorhyncha. [etc.].
1928 Contrib. Baylor Univ. Mus. 16 17 Spotted Night Snake... On account of its being found under stones on hill and mountain sides, this small species is frequently called Rock Snake.
1988 B. Branch Field Guide Snakes & Other Reptiles Southern Afr. 60 Swazi Rock Snake Lamprophis swazicus... This very slender snake has an obvious head [and] bulging eyes.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2010; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
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