Copperhead snakes (Agkistrodon contortrix) are the most populated venomous snakes in the United States. Baby black snakes aren't actually black, but instead mostly gray with large, brown, irregular-shaped spots. Snakes belong to one of two categories: venomous or non-venomous. Eastern rat snakes, formerly known as black rat snakes, are large non-venomous snakes between 3.5 and 7 feet (one and two meters) long. A snake encounter can be an alarming experience, especially if you are uncertain of its type. Adults have a white throat and belly. They have shiny black scales on their back and a light colored belly, and their throat and chin are white. Adult snakes are mostly black and have a glossy appearance. Rat snakes are members – along with kingsnakes, milk snakes, vine snakes and indigo snakes – of the subfamily Colubrinae of the family Colubridae.They are medium to large constrictors and are found throughout much of the Northern Hemisphere.They feed primarily on rodents and birds.With some species exceeding 2.5 m (8 ft) in total length, they can occupy top levels of some food chains. The length of a fully-grown black rat snake ranges from 3.5 feet to 8 feet, although most measure between 3 and 5 feet in length.