OK. What the hell is this odd looking animal from my yard?

This morning when I was dragging leaf bags down to the curb (a chore that will now be mine, not Stacy's, FOREVER I'm guessing), I saw an odd pattern in the leaves in a bag. I didn't think much of it, but when I reached the curb, I noticed the bag had fallen open, so I went to tie it shut again, and this is what I saw:

OK - someone (I'm looking at you Lee) tell me what in God's name that is, and whether I should be alarmed that I found it here in Midlothian, Va.

I guess now I know why my dog's been acting so weird lately...

Thank you in advance! :-)

Chuck

More photos below:

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