snail darter

noun

1. a tan, striped, snail-eating perch, Percina tanasi, 3 inches (7.5 centimeters) long, occurring only in the Tennessee River: a threatened species.

Word History and Origins

Origin of snail darter¹

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

His unconventional attitude and methods soon became apparent with the listing of the snail darter, a little fish now so notorious it has become synonymous with government overreach.

From Seattle Times

An early battle involved the snail darter, a tiny Southeastern fish that delayed construction of a Tennessee dam on a river then considered its only remaining home.

From Washington Times

It was also smack in the middle of the acrimonious snail darter battle that held up construction of a Tennessee Valley Authority dam for over two years.

From Seattle Times

Like the snail darter, the conflict differs from most battles over endangered species.

From Seattle Times

Although the snail darter is the fifth fish species to recover and be removed from the list, some 400 other fish species across the United States remain listed as imperiled.

From Science Magazine