Does it sound differently if I say "snake-like" instead of "serpent-like"?
Native speaker’s answer
Rebecca
They both express similar meanings. A "serpent" is a large snake that often appears in fantasy or mythological stories, which is why it has been used here. If the story was based on reality, "snake" would more likely be used. Ex: The witch and her serpent moved quickly in the dark of the night. Ex: My pet snake is quite tame and harmless.