We have a couple of black racers in the yard. They're harmless, but will give you a turn because one of their defensive habits is to take the tip of their tail and rattle it in dry leaves. Sounds EXACTLY like a rattlesnake buzz . . . make you jump the first couple of times they do that to you, but now I just look at him and say, "Slick, you ain't foolin' nobody." (We named the big one Slick Willie. He slunk away in shame for awhile, but he's back.)
LOL! He slithered away in shame but came back! Too funny.
I am deathly afraid of snakes when I am startled by them, but I can hold them if handed to me.
"black racers in the yard"
We've a HUGE one living amongst our pole beans. It's really a thrill to be bean picking and "pick" it's tail!
Love it!