This is Kirtland's Snkake (Clonophis kirtlandi). It is a really neat snake that is only found in small areas of the US in IN, IL, OH, and a few spots in nearby states. It is an endangered species over most of its range. You are lucky to have such a unique and rare critter in your yard. I hope you will protect them. Although....if you didn't know what it was, why were you handling it? This post was edited by FHFchrish on Fri, Sep 5, 14 at 9:25

Sharp-tailed Snake (Contia tenuis). Harmless slug eaters.

I assume that is a captive snake (or an escaped captive). While the pattern and coloration might first suggest that it is a striped morph California Kingsnake (Lampropeltis getula), the head shape and pattern tells a different story. The head shape looks to me like that of a milksnake (Lampropeltis triangulum). Therefore I am pretty sure this is one of the captive hybrids between a Cal King and a Milksnake.

yup. The color is it's belly - it will display this when threatened. (To make you think it's poisonous) It is harmless and adorable.