1A widespread but rarely seen nocturnal African constricting snake which is triangular in cross section with rough scales, giving it the appearance of a three-cornered file.
Genus Mehelya, family Colubridae; several species
Example sentencesExamples
- When anchored underwater, file snakes are able to strike at passing fish on the menu.
- Snakes really are rather wonderful - I saw file snakes, puff adders and huge pythons.
- These reptiles, called file snakes, are totally aquatic.
- Large fat reptiles, the file snakes have folds of skin with a rasp-like texture.