Many snakes are associated with them (7)

I believe the answer is:

ladders

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'them' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this defines the answer.

'many snakes are associated with' is the wordplay.
'many' becomes 'l' ().
'snakes' becomes 'adders' (adder is a kind of snake).
'are associated with' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'l'+'adders'='LADDERS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for ladders that I've seen before include "Climbing devices" , "lots of steps" , "Rows of rungs" , "Hose runners" , "Runs in hosiery" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail, The Guardian and The Telegraph.

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