AS the region heats up, people have been warned that snakes are now slithering out of winter hibernation.
A local snake catcher has already responded to a number of snake sightings, including three eastern brown snakes, in Lake Boga and Swan Hill in recent days.
Last Monday, Mick O’Brien removed a snake from the Lake Boga farming area before he sighted another one slithering across the road nearby.
The following day he removed another eastern brown, close to two metres long, from a playground at Tower Hill in Swan Hill.
“They’re all coming out of their winter hibernation period,” Mr O’Brien told The Guardian.
“They can mainly be seen all throughout summer.”
According to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP), eastern brown snakes are highly venomous and extremely dangerous to humans and pets.
Mr O’Brien said the most common breeds of snakes found in Swan Hill and surrounds were tiger snake and red-bellied black snake.
“There are other ones but they’re rarely seen,” he said.
Mr O’Brien said snakes could be found anywhere they could access food or water.
His best advice to stay safe when you’ve spotted a snake was to keep your distance.
“Keep clear of it and move any children or pets away from it,” he said.
“Keep an eye on it and keep a distance and give me a call.”
DELWP said snakes generally avoided people, unless they felt threatened, disturbed or surprised.
“If provoked or cornered, brown snakes can be extremely aggressive,” the statement said.
“All brown snakes should be regarded as highly venomous and dangerous to humans.”
