THEY might be slithering out to make an early entrance in some parts of NSW, but in this region many snakes are still in brumation.
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The winter time rest period for snakes and other cold-blooded animals is called brumation, not hibernation, and while they sleep for large periods of time they will move and drink a little.
"It's different to a normal hibernation that it's not a full on slumber, as soon as it's warm they'll come out again," snake catcher Jake Hansen said.
The region's early burst of warm weather means a few snakes have ventured out early and Mr Hansen has already been called on to move some of these unwanted snakes.
"I was called out to a public school at Lyndhurst because there were three baby snakes under rocks in the playground," he said.
"There were two copperheads and an eastern brown.
"I was also called to one in Orange, it was in someone's backyard.
"As soon as it gets warmer they'll come out more and venture father away from where they stayed during winter."
The region is home to some of Australia's most deadly snakes, including the: eastern brown, tiger and copperhead.
The Australian Reptile Park said about 3000 people are bitten by snakes every year, with about 300 of them receiving antivenom and one or two bites, on average, proving fatal, the park says.
The park's head of reptiles Daniel Rumsey said if untreated immediately, a person can die within 30 minutes depending on the amount of venom injected and the species of snake.
Mr Hansen urged people not to touch or torment snakes if they see them.
"A snake is never going to be dangerous if you're not interfering with it," he said.
"Eastern browns are one native animal that copes quite well with urbanisation and often live around reasonably built up areas because humans attract mice - their main food source."
Where are snakes during brumation?
Snakes will seek refuge in sheltered dry areas that are reasonably exposed to the sun and often north or north west facing.
"Disused animal burrows, holes in the ground, retaining walls, under concrete slabs, water meter pits and wood piles are often favoured for shelter sites so pay attention to where you put hands or you may unwittingly grab a cold, sluggish snake," Mr Hansen said.
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