rat snake
noun
plural rat snakes
: any of various large, nonvenomous, colubrid snakes (as of the genera Elaphe, Pantherophis, Coelognatuhus) 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 snakeExamples of rat snake in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
Explore her life at the center and learn how rat snakes survive in the wild.
—Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 11 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 
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
Explore her life at the center and learn how rat snakes survive in the wild.
—Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 11 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
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rat snake.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Rat snake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rat%20snake. Accessed 26 Jul. 2024.
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