green rat snake
• noun
North American A slender, non-venomous colubrid snake (Senticolis triaspis) native to the southwestern United States, Mexico, and Central America, characterized by its yellowish-green to olive dorsal coloration.
"While exploring the rocky canyons of southern Arizona, the researchers observed a green rat snake actively foraging for small rodents."
A large, arboreal, non-venomous snake (Gonyosoma oxycephalum) native to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, featuring bright green scales and frequently kept in captivity.
"The reptile sanctuary constructed a tall, heavily planted enclosure to accommodate the arboreal climbing habits of their green rat snake."
Word Nuance & Usage
In herpetology, this common name primarily refers to the New World species Senticolis triaspis; however, in the pet trade, it is frequently used to describe the Southeast Asian red-tailed green rat snake (Gonyosoma oxycephalum).
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Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.