U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Northeast Region - Don't get shook from this snake's shake. When threatened, black rat snakes will mimic venomous snakes by “rattling” their tail. Reaching 8ft in length,
Blue racer snake guide: how to identify, are they venomous, and where they're found - Discover Wildlife
Black Rat Snake Information & Facts
Reptiles - Catoctin Mountain Park (U.S. National Park Service)
The Difference Between a Black Snake & a Racer | Sciencing
Snakes to Watch Out For - DNREC
The Black Rat Snake with a tail that rattles! New 2017 Pantherophis alleghaniensis rattles it's tail
Fact, this snake, be it king snake or black snake, whatever, rattles it's tail like a rattlesnake to fend off predators, the rapid movement of the tail in leaves mimics the sound. :
Western Ratsnake | Missouri Department of Conservation
Caught this big boi, rat or king snake? Had the false rattle tail. I think rat. : r/snakes