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Definition of western shovelnose snake
western shovelnose snake
Plural:western shovelnose snakes
western shovelnose snake Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
11
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
North American A small, non-venomous colubrid snake (Chionactis occipitalis) native to the arid deserts of the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, recognized by its pale coloration, dark banding, and a specialized flattened snout used for rapidly swimming through loose sand.
Example
"While exploring the Mojave Desert at dusk, the herpetologist documented a Western shovelnose snake swiftly burying itself in a dune to avoid predators."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
The common name derives from its geographic range in the western United States and its distinctively flattened, spade-like snout, an evolutionary adaptation for burrowing through loose desert sand.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Western shovelnose snake. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/western shovelnose snake