hoop snake

American  

noun

1. any of several harmless snakes, as the mud snake and rainbow snake, fabled to take its tail in its mouth and roll along like a hoop.

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hoop snake British  

noun

1. any of various North American snakes, such as the mud snake ( Farancia abacura ), that were formerly thought to hold the tail in the mouth and roll along like a hoop

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Etymology

Origin of hoop snake

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85

Example Sentences

“Down home there’s a vile breed of snake called a hoop snake. Not only can it outrun a racehorse, it’s been known to kill a fully grown bear with one bite!”

From Literature

Once she insisted that the devil had taken the form of a hoop snake with its tail in its mouth, and had rolled after her down the mountain, hissing that it would claim her soul.

From Literature

It is always your untrained observer that has his poser, his shower of frogs or lizards, or his hoop snakes, and the like.

From Project Gutenberg

The "hoop snake" was quite as authentic to us as the blue racer, although no one had actually seen one.

From Project Gutenberg

The Preacher said, “After they catch you and bite you..He snapped his left hand shut like it was the mouth of one of these hoop snakes. “...the true horror begins.

From Literature