grass snake

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.

grass snake

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of grass snake¹

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.

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

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

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“Tell him about the time you put a grass snake in the boys’ hut.”

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

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