grass snake

American  

noun

1. Also called ring snake.  a common European snake, Natrix natrix, having a collar of bright orange or yellow.

2. any of various small, slender snakes of North America, as the garter snake or green snake.

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grass snake British  

noun

1. a harmless nonvenomous European colubrid snake, Natrix natrix, having a brownish-green body with variable markings

2. any of several similar related European snakes, such as Natrix maura ( viperine grass snake )

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Etymology

Origin of grass snake

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

It is home to a wide variety of protected species, including the great crested newt, water vole, bats, otters and grass snakes.

From BBC

Fire crews have rescued a man from a well after he became trapped whilst saving grass snakes that had fallen inside.

From BBC

His passion was sparked by his capture of a grass snake when he was 4 years old.

From Los Angeles Times

The council reported sightings of adders and grass snakes, both native to the area.

From BBC

The UK has three native snake species - the adder, the grass snake and the smooth snake.

From BBC