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

Nope, not a Corn, and definitely not a Copperhead. This is an Eastern Milk Snake(Lampropeltis triangulum triangulum), a member of the family that includes the King Snakes. The pattern on the head is different from a Corn, and these look nothing at all like a Copperhead, not even close.

I have caught and owned probably thousands of Eastern Garters, as well as other species of Thamnophis, over the decades, and been bitten more times than I can even count, but I have NEVER, ever had a snake bite become infected, especially not one from one of the Natricine snakes, like Garters or Water Snakes. Snakes in this family actually are mildly venomous, and do possess a Duvernoy's gland, which is the evolutionary predecessor to a fully-developed venom gland, but their venom is very mild and has a poor delivery system, via grooved, enlarged "fangs" near the rear of the upper jaw. However, that venom does contain components which act as both a mild anticoagulant and an antibacterial. Bites bleed quite freely for a few minutes, in relation to the bite itself, which is barely felt, and these two seem to combine to inhibit infection. I get bitten out in the field most often, miles away from any soap and water or peroxide, and have never had a bite get infected. In fact, I don't know of any fellow snake keepers/field herpetologists who have, even with getting bitten while our arms are covered in mud and muck from a swamp!

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