black rat snake

noun

plural black rat snakes

: a common, heavy-bodied rat snake (Pantherophis obsoletus obsoletus synonym Pantherophis obsoleta obsoleta synonym Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta) chiefly of the eastern and central U.S. that is black with a white throat and sometimes white showing between the scales, typically reaches over five feet (1.5 meters) in length, and feeds on birds and small animals (such as mice, rats, and frogs)

Note: In alternative classification systems, black rat snake is used synonymously with either the eastern rat snake or the western rat snake.

called also blacksnake, black snake

Examples of black rat snake in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

After encountering a black rat snake inside the Affelder House at 10 a.m. April 10, the decorating and set-up crew for a baby shower called police for help in extracting it. —

Joan Rusek, cleveland, 20 Apr. 2022 The snake – a black rat snake – sparked panic in the travelers passing through the terminal, the Independent reports. —

Fox News, 16 Sep. 2018 Sounds like a juvenile black rat snake, very beneficial for keeping down rodents. —

Ellen Nibali, baltimoresun.com, 5 July 2018 Animal control captured a black rat snake that was found in a garage and released it outside. —

Washington Post, 19 Sep. 2017

Word History

First Known Use

1888, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of black rat snake was in 1888

See more words from the same year

Cite this Entry

Style

“Black rat snake.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black%20rat%20snake. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

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