We found this snake in the grass… literally in the front yard grass, the other day. Scary because it was rattling its little tail.
http://www.scisnake.com/download/snakesreferenceguide.pdf
Eastern Milk Snake:
A slender species, with a
beige background and brown to reddish blotches on
the back. The belly has a black and white
checkerboard pattern. They are often mistaken for
rattlesnakes since they will vibrate their tail rapidly
when threatened, which can produce a buzzing
sound if it contacts the ground. Once believed to
milk cows, hence the name, but like all snakes they
only drink water! Farmers now realize the great
benefit of this snake, as its primary diet is rodents.
Milk snakes also prey on other snakes, including
venomous species, as they are immune to the toxins.
These snakes rarely exceed one metre in length.
Milk snakes are found throughout southern Ontario.