NORTH-west Victoria residents have been urged to be on the lookout for snakes as warm weather arrives.
Snakes are beginning to emerge from winter hibernation to bask in the sun and search for food and a mate.
Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP) senior wildlife management officer Leila Brook said sunny weather also made it more likely people would encounter a snake.
Ms Brook said eastern brown snakes were most common in the north-west of the state and occasional tiger snakes or red-bellied black snakes were encountered around wetlands, creeks and rivers.
“These three species are venomous, but it is rare for them to bite people,” she said.
“Most snake bites occur when people try to capture or kill a snake.”
Snakes have been sighted at Tower Hill near the playground, while another was captured and released from a driveway drain pipe this week.
Swan Hill Wildlife Shelter urged people to take care around pipes and drains as snakes might be lurking just inside the entrance.
Ms Brook said snakes were known to bite animals, such as dogs, if they felt threatened.
“If your dog or cat encounters a snake, the best course of action is to remove your pet from the area or tie it up while the snake passes and if you suspect your pet has been bitten, take it to a vet immediately,” she said.
“Snakes are generally very shy and prefer to keep away from people and often, when a snake is found in a backyard, it’s because it’s moving through the area to other habitat.
“Being aware that snakes may be around and being informed about how to react to them is very important at this time of year.”
It is wise to undertake first aid training and keep a first aid kit with several compression bandages.
Snakes are protected under the Wildlife Act 1975 and it is illegal to capture, harm, or kill them.
SNAKE ENCOUNTERS
• When left alone, snakes present little or no danger to people.
• When seeing a snake, keep calm and move everyone and pets away from the area.
• Don’t attempt to capture or harm snakes, but call DELWP on 136 186 for advice.
• Maintain lawns and clean up around houses, as snakes are attracted to piles of rocks or timber, sheets of metal or building materials.
• If someone is bitten, call 000 immediately.
