Crossword Genius

Rodent killer catching large snake (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

rattler

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'snake' is the definition.
(I know that rattler is a type of Crotalinae)

'rodent killer catching large' is the wordplay.
I cannot really see how this works, but
'rodent' could be 'rat' (rat is a kind of rodent) and 'rat' is found within the answer.
'large' could be 'l' (eg in clothes sizes) and 'l' is found in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ter' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for rattler that I've seen before include "Rickety old vehicle" , "(it crawls?)" , "remarkably fine specimen" , "North American pit viper" , "old crate" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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