Any of several colubrid snakes of the southern United States, especially the ground snake, Sonora semiannulata (formerly S. episcopa), and the Plains black-headed snake Tantilla nigriceps.
Origin
Late 19th century.
Definition of mitre snake in US English:
mitre snake
(USmiter snake)
noun
US
Any of several colubrid snakes of the southern United States, especially the ground snake, Sonora semiannulata (formerly S. episcopa), and the Plains black-headed snake Tantilla nigriceps.