rat snake

American  

noun

1. any of several New and Old World colubrid snakes, of the genus Elaphe, that feed chiefly on small mammals and birds.

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rat snake British  

noun

1. any of various nonvenomous rodent-eating colubrid snakes, such as Elaphe obsoleta of North America and Ptyas mucosus of Asia

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Etymology

Origin of rat snake

First recorded in 1855–60

Compare meaning

How does rat-snake compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• rat snake vs. corn snake

Example Sentences

Papa had been talking about that place ever since George had brought the two-foot rat snake to school to show Mr. Landers—because they were studying reptiles!

From Literature

“The dearest baby gray rat snake was crossing our driveway the other day just as the dog and I were leaving for a walk.”

From New York Times

Having chickens “couldn't be a more down-home, country, just warm feeling, so domestic and wonderful until you open the doors and there's a five-foot rat snake with an egg down it,” she says.

From Scientific American

She said she expects the golf-ball-swallowing rat snake to do fine in the wild.

From Washington Post

If I see a rat snake climbing the cherry laurel, I’m obliged to let the snake go on its way, knowing it will eat the baby redbirds hidden in a nest deep in the greenery.

From New York Times