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Definition of velvet swamp snake
velvet swamp snake
Plural:velvet swamp snakes
velvet swamp snake Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
11
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
American A small, highly aquatic, non-venomous snake native to the southeastern United States, characterized by smooth, glossy scales that give it a velvety appearance (often used as an alternative or descriptive name for the black swamp snake, Liodytes pygaea).
Example
"During the herpetology field trip, the students carefully observed a velvet swamp snake gliding through the dark waters of the cypress marsh."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
A descriptive compound common name combining 'velvet' (alluding to the highly smooth, glossy texture of the reptile's scales), 'swamp' (indicating its primary aquatic wetland habitat), and 'snake'.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Velvet swamp snake. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/velvet swamp snake