rat snake

noun

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

rat snake

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of rat snake¹

First recorded in 1855–60

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

A neighbor directed him to the page after a rat snake turned up on Danawala's doorstep and freaked him out, a common reaction to rat snakes, which can reach lengths of 10 feet.

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