king snake

Thân thiện

A king snake slithers across a sunlit forest path.

Definition

Noun: 1. A nonvenomous constrictor snake native to North America: A king snake is a type of snake that kills its prey by coiling around and squeezing it. It is not poisonous. King snakes are known for their diet, which often includes other snakes, even venomous ones, as well as small mammals.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • We found a beautiful black and white banded king snake under the log pile.
  • Because they eat rattlesnakes, king snakes are considered beneficial to have around.
  • The king snake is a popular pet among reptile enthusiasts due to its docile nature and striking patterns.

Advanced Usage

• Ecological Role: The term is often used in discussions about natural pest control and ecological balance, as king snakes help control populations of rodents and other snakes.
  • The introduction of the king snake into the area helped reduce the local population of venomous copperheads.

Variants and Related Words

• Kingsnake: A common alternative spelling, often written as one word.
• Lampropeltis: The scientific genus name for king snakes and milk snakes.
• Milk snake (): A specific, common type of king snake with a colorful banded pattern.

Synonyms

• Constrictor
• Nonvenomous snake

Related Phrases

• "King of snakes": An informal descriptive phrase referencing the king snake's habit of preying on other snakes, implying dominance.
  • With its immunity to venom, the king snake truly lives up to its name as the "king of snakes."

Học thuật

Noun

1. any of numerous nonvenomous North American constrictors; feed on other snakes and small mammals

Từ đồng nghĩa

• kingsnake