The word "蟒蛇" is formed by combining the character "蟒", which specifically denotes a large snake such as a python or boa, with the character "蛇", the general term for snake. Both characters contain the "虫" radical, indicating they are reptilian or creeping creatures. This compound directly specifies a type of snake through the modifying element "蟒" attached to the core category "蛇", resulting in a term that refers to a python.