Search Dictionary
Definition of karoo sand snake
karoo sand snake
Plural:Karoo sand snakes
karoo sand snake Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
12
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
South African A mildly venomous, fast-moving colubrid snake native to the arid Karoo region and surrounding dry habitats of southern Africa, characterized by a slender body, prominent longitudinal stripes, and a preference for sandy or rocky terrain.
Example
"During our hike in the Western Cape, we spotted a Karoo sand snake quickly darting beneath a sparse bush to escape the midday heat."
Word Origin & Etymology
Named for the Karoo, a vast semi-desert natural region of South Africa where the species is endemic, combined with 'sand snake', referring to its preferred arid habitat and its classification within the genus Psammophis.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Karoo sand snake. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/karoo sand snake