It means snake with thorn or snake that has thorn. They refer to having a spine-shaped stump or tip on the tail, which they use to look like an insect and attract prey. It is the name of a genus of very lethal snakes, from Oceania and Auatralia. They belong to the Elapidae family. Etymologically it is formed from the Greek roots acantos (thorn) and ofis or ophis (ofidio).
