Toward this end we investigated habitat use by black rat snakes (Elaphe obsoleta obsoleta), an important avian-nest predator in eastern deciduous forests. We radio-tracked 52 black rat snakes for ...

The black rat snake, known as Elaphe obsoleta, is a slender snake measuring 36 to 60 inches long. The snake is glossy black on top and bottom with a white throat and chin.

Over a 15-year period, 359 black rat snakes were captured, mostly on a 750-acre area; because many were recaptured after marking, records totaled 516. The average emergence date was 16 April and 27 ...

But it was the distinctive checkered design on the throat that confirmed the identity -- Elaphe obsoleta in most books -- an adult black rat snake.