water snake

water snake

noun

Definition of WATER SNAKE

: any of various snakes (especially genus Nerodia formerly included in the genus Natrix) that frequent or inhabit freshwaters and feed largely on aquatic animals

First Known Use of WATER SNAKE

circa 1601

Rhymes with WATER SNAKE

aerobrake, bellyache, coaster brake, coffee break, coral snake, double take, garter snake, give-and-take, Great Bear Lake, Great Salt Lake, griddle cake, halterbreak, johnnycake, kittiwake, make-or-break, marble cake, microquake, overtake, patty-cake, plumber's snake, put-and-take, rattlesnake, Reindeer Lake, silver hake, station break, stomachache, undertake, wapentake, wedding cake, wideawake

water snake

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Any of about 200 snake species of about 38 genera, especially Natrix and Nerodia, classified within the family Colubridae, found worldwide except in South America. Most species have a stout body with dark blotches or streaks and ridged scales. Some are similar in appearance to venomous species. They kill fishes and amphibians with a nonvenomous bite. The New World species live in or near water and bear live young; European species are less water-dependent and lay eggs. In defense they inflate the head, strike, and release a foul secretion. Average length is about 3 ft (1 m); some Old World species reach 6 ft (1.8 m).