shield-tailed snake: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowTechnical (Zoology/Herpetology)
Quick answer
What does “shield-tailed snake” mean?
A snake with a unique, enlarged, shield-like plate at the tip of its tail, which it uses for defense and burrowing, belonging to the family Uropeltidae.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A snake with a unique, enlarged, shield-like plate at the tip of its tail, which it uses for defense and burrowing, belonging to the family Uropeltidae.
Refers specifically to burrowing, non-venomous snakes native to Southern India and Sri Lanka, characterized by a short, stout body and a tail ending in a hard, often colourful, scale or shield used to block predators and close their burrows.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in usage. The term is equally technical in both variants.
Connotations
Scientifically descriptive, with no regional cultural connotations.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general language; used almost exclusively in herpetological contexts worldwide.
Grammar
How to Use “shield-tailed snake” in a Sentence
The [ADJ] shield-tailed snake [VERB].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “shield-tailed snake” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The uropeltid exhibit featured several shield-tailed snake specimens.
American English
- We studied shield-tailed snake morphology in herpetology class.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in biological/zoological papers, field guides, and taxonomy.
Everyday
Virtually never used in casual conversation.
Technical
Primary context: herpetology, species identification, conservation biology.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “shield-tailed snake”
Neutral
Weak
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “shield-tailed snake”
- Misspelling as 'shield-tail snake' or 'shielded-tail snake'.
- Confusing it with other burrowing snakes like blind snakes or worm snakes that lack the distinctive tail shield.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, shield-tailed snakes (Uropeltidae) are non-venomous, fossorial (burrowing) constrictors.
The hardened tail shield is primarily used to block the entrance of their burrows against predators and to aid in digging and anchoring themselves underground.
It is extremely rare and not recommended. They have very specialised burrowing needs, a specific diet (mainly earthworms), and are sensitive to stress. They are also protected in their native range.
The family Uropeltidae contains over 50 recognised species, all sharing the characteristic tail shield.
A snake with a unique, enlarged, shield-like plate at the tip of its tail, which it uses for defense and burrowing, belonging to the family Uropeltidae.
Shield-tailed snake is usually technical (zoology/herpetology) in register.
Shield-tailed snake: in British English it is pronounced /ˈʃiːld teɪld sneɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈʃild teɪld sneɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a medieval knight's shield stuck on the tail of a snake, which it uses to block the entrance to its underground 'castle' (burrow).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE TAIL IS A SHIELD/DOOR.
Practice
Quiz
Where are shield-tailed snakes (Uropeltidae) naturally found?