Ooookay

I just decided to take a break from work. I haven't checked my oil level for a while in the car so I did that.

I nearly dropped the bonnet as I saw a snake on the engine.

Ok, so it turned out /not/ to be a snake coiled on my engine but rather a seal that goes along the back of the engine bay where the bonnet presses down. But why was it so far forwards in the engine...and how long has it been like that?