rat snake

noun

plural rat snakes
: any of various large, nonvenomous, colubrid snakes (as of the genera Elaphe, Pantherophis, and Coelognathus) that feed chiefly on rodents (such as mice and rats) and birds

called also chicken snake

see black rat snake, eastern rat snake, red rat snake, western rat snake

Examples of rat snake in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Explore her life at the center and learn how rat snakes survive in the wild. Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2024 However, certain species — such as rat snakes and rough green snakes — are better at climbing than others. Sarah Linn, Sacramento Bee, 12 July 2024 According to the Weixin post, snakes native to North America like the Texas rat snake and the milk snake were discovered in the smuggler's trousers. Jasmine Baehr, Fox News, 12 July 2024 The rat snakes’ gape could only expand by about 19 percent. Kate Golembiewski, New York Times, 31 Aug. 2023 See all Example Sentences for rat snake 

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rat snake was in 1818

Dictionary Entries Near rat snake

Cite this Entry

“Rat snake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rat%20snake. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

rat snake

noun
: any of various large nonpoisonous snakes that eat rodents and birds and that kill their prey by squeezing and suffocating it

More from Merriam-Webster on rat snake

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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