Black Snake

Black Snake, a popular name for several snakes, from their coloration. In America it is applied to (1) Coluber constrictor, a large non-venomous snake found in the Mississippi valley and to the eastward; uniform lustrous black above, varying to olive or leaden below, chin and throat white. It feeds on birds, frogs, and small mammals, and is the deadly foe of the rattlesnake, which it boldly attacks and crushes in its folds. (2) Elaphis obsoletus, also harmless, found east of the Rocky Mountains; light reddish-brown, darkening with age till nearly or quite black. Both species run into varieties The black snake of Australia (Pseudechis porphyriacus), black above and red beneath, is closely allied to the cobra (q.v.), and is very venomous.