glass snake
glass snake Lexical Profile
• noun
A superficially snake-like, legless lizard of the genus Ophisaurus, native to North America and Eurasia, noted for its smooth scales and a highly fragile tail that breaks off easily when the animal is grasped or threatened.
"While clearing the brush near the garden, we spotted a glass snake and marveled at how much it resembled an actual serpent despite having eyelids and ear openings."
Word Nuance & Usage
Despite its common name, a glass snake is biologically not a true snake, but rather a species of legless lizard.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The name derives from the creature's highly fragile tail, which can easily shatter or break off to escape predators (resembling breaking glass), combined with 'snake' due to its serpentine, legless appearance.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.