gray rat snake
noun
plural gray rat snakes
: a large, heavy-bodied, nonvenomous rat snake (Pantherophis spiloides synonym Elaphe spiloides) of the eastern and central U.S. that is gray with brown to dark gray blotches on the back
Note: In an alternative classification system, the gray rat snake is not considered a separate species but rather included within other subspecies (Pantherophis obsoletus obsoletus and P. obsoletus spiloides) of a common rat snake.
compare eastern rat snake, western rat snakeExamples of gray rat snake in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In Tennessee, the snakes were mostly identified as gray rat snakes.
—
Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 13 Aug. 2024
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 13 Aug. 2024
Dictionary Entries Near gray rat snake
Cite this Entry
“Gray rat snake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gray%20rat%20snake. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share