What is that?!?!

B has been in training since April, thereby leaving me with all household duties.
Now, before I took over the lawn work (well, the mowing) I had mowed the lawn maybe 1/2 a dozen times in my life. Not that I am spoiled or anything, I have just taken care of the inside of the house.
No biggie, I think, I can easily take care of the lawn.
Well, about a month after B reported for duty, my neighbor comes over. She tells me that within the last week she had seen 2 snakes around-1 in her house and 1 in her backyard. Yeah, not exactly what I want to hear. So, that, in addition to some skunk issues that we used to have, put me on guard.
Every time I have mowed the lawn I have kinda held my breath hoping and praying not to come in contact with any creatures that should not be in my yard.
About 6 weeks ago I was mowing the back yard and spotted a snake! EEK!!! I screamed and then hurried away from the area-it was scared too and quickly slithered it's way into my neighbors yard. About two weeks later I am mowing the front yard, and lo and behold there is a snake skin that has been shed near our ginkgo tree.
Tonight, I go outside to finish mowing the back yard. I had mowed the front yard and side yard Saturday evening, but it was getting dark so I decided to wait until a different time to mow the rest of the back, since that is where I originally ran into a snake...
Can you see where this is going?
I go to open the back gate and what do I see but a snake!
I ran to get the kids--thinking they might like to see this--and tell them to come quick cause there is a snake. They hustle and we discover the snake is dead. E, being the only guy around, is in charge of moving the snake. Who knows how long it has been dead, but there were plenty of ants enjoying it. Now, I can't help to wonder if I hit it with the mower on Saturday evening when I was out mowing in the dusk. AGH!!! I have the major heebie jeebies now!