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Definition of yucatan cantil
yucatan cantil
Plural:yucatan cantils
yucatan cantil Lexical Profile
CEFR
C2
Grade
11
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
A venomous pit viper species endemic to the scrub forests of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico and northern Belize, known for its reddish-brown coloration and striking pale facial bands.
Example
"While surveying the dry tropical forests of Mexico, the herpetologist documented the presence of a resting Yucatan cantil camouflaged in the leaf litter."
Word Origin & Etymology
The name combines 'Yucatan' (for the Yucatán Peninsula where it is endemic) and 'cantil', which originates from the Tzeltal Mayan word 'kantiil' meaning 'yellow lips', referring to the distinct pale facial markings characteristic of these pit vipers.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Yucatan cantil. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/yucatan cantil