We called them milk snakes as kids. Definitely harmless, but they could sure bite us with their needle teeth when we'd catch one. Officially I think it is some type of rat snake, but can't tell you which one.

It is often difficult to tell baby black racers from young eastern milksnakes, but I believe this IS a racer. Here are two pictures of two juvenile black racers for comparison with your photo, Laura:

And here are some photos of young milksnakes.

You can see how very similar they look, but I think the racer has a "messier" looking pattern...not as crisp and clean as the milksnake. I believe your snake is a juvie black racer.

Either one is completely harmless, though, so no worries.

Marcia

Milksnakes are actually members of the kingsnake family, and of course, racers are...racers! Corn snakes, which are also similar, are members of the ratsnake family. Just a bunch more stuff, FYI.

Marcia

Well, since the only other adult snake I've seen has been a racer....
Thanks Marcia for the snake lesson. I had no idea that milk snakes (young) looked so much alike.