That's why I call them Satan's hand puppets.

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This oddly reminds me of Dr. Seuss:

"You'll look up and down streets [snakes].
Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say,
'I don't choose to go there.'"

- Oh, the Places You'll Go!

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The larger one appears to be a subspecies of kingsnake. They earned that name because of their reputation for eating other snakes. They are immune to pit viper venom and will occasionally consume copperheads, rattlesnakes, cottonmouths, etc.

In addition, they are highly effective rodent and bird hunters. This provides an added benefit of them helping reduce the tick population since many birds and rodents are covered in ticks (and fleas).

Given this, they are very popular among homeowners (like me) who understand their benefit. I live on 7.5 acres, most of which is wooded. I have told all of my neighbors to call me if they ever see a kingsnake in their yard. I will gladly capture it and move it to my property.

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