Hi dawn,
As I don't believe in co-incidences, I would think what you are undergoing is experiencing this phenomena at multidimensional levels. Dreaming of them, sensing them around, seeing depictions of them in natural objects and now you have it at physical level, with a real snake. I would ask yourself, what does the snake represent/mean to me? and see if an answer comes to you.
Maybe you would want to look up about snake/serpent mythology.
The snake is one of the symbols of Thoth, it is also a powerful animal totem:

Snake Totem - Snakes have the amazing ability to shed their skins, they cast off the old skin and create a new one. Snakes use their flickering tongues to sense and smell. They can detect anything that is around them, they can also feel the vibrations upon the earth in which they inhabit. The snake comes when we are moving towards changes, and that we need to cast off our old self. The snake awakens the spiritual side within us, so that we can explore the mysteries of our soul and mind. The snake�s stare which never blinks can look into our souls. The snake teaches us how to tap into undiscovered power within ourselves and find and learn to use our creative wisdom.

Alisa also knows quite a bit about this subject, I am sure she will give you the benefit of her knowledge.