Looks like at some point in the past, someone removed and re-installed the oil sump plate with a generous bead of sealant. I believe it has been this way for the last 60,000 miles or more, since my service records go back that far and I don't see the oil sump pan cover being removed, and any of the past services that I have a record of wouldn't require it.
I'm glad I didn't wait to put in my EBS baffle (I almost postponed it to my next oil change)
I should talk a picture of the little pile of snakes in there, some over 2 inches long and hanging way through the oil pickup screen. I took off the pickup so I could make sure I got them all out. I should take a picture of the pile... Also a few small pieces of plastic in the screen.
Edit: now I am suddenly worried about the pieces that may have broken off and gone into the engine... I have never seen any pieces on the 2 oil filters I have cut apart (and I have not yet cut and spread out the filter from this change) but all of the little snake pieces look "intact" and not broken off. They are very strong...
The sump cover itself was very clean.
Now to scrape off all the sealant off the mating surfaces...
Steve