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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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