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

While many of the snakes were said to be non‑venomous water snake and rat snakes, some were cobras, which are considered highly venomous, reported the Xiaoxiang Daily. — Sylvie Zhuang, CNN Money, 7 July 2026

Snakes, such as garter snakes and thread snakes, eat snails, ant larvae, and other invertebrates, while gopher snakes, rat snakes, and other larger snakes are excellent mousers and will even take packrats, Amarello says. — Michelle Mastro, Martha Stewart, 6 May 2026

However, certain species — such as rat snakes and rough green snakes — are better at climbing than others. — Sarah Linn may 1, Sacbee.com, 1 May 2026

Just a rat snake… nothing dangerous. — Christina Dugan Ramirez , Larry Fink, FOXNews.com, 25 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1818, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rat snake

• awake
• backache
• beefsteak
• betake
• cheesecake
• cupcake
• daybreak
• earthquake
• forsake
• gouache
• handshake
• headache

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