ribbon snake

noun

1. either of two long-tailed garter snakes, Thamnophis proximus or T. sauritus, of eastern and central North America, having a brownish body and yellow or orange stripes.

Word History and Origins

Origin of ribbon snake¹

An Americanism dating back to 1730–40

Example Sentences

Moosewood looks slender and striped as a ribbon-snake, and limbs of the hop-hornbeam have the appearance of sinews.

From Project Gutenberg

In the Western Ribbon Snake the back stripe is darker than those on the side, or in some instances a different color.

From Project Gutenberg