Snakes, as we move into the warmer months, will start becoming more active but local residents should not be alarmed.
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Morgan Newans from Wildlife Rescue South Coast said the last thing a snake wants to do is come in contact with humans.
"If you come across a snake you should calmly move away or keep your distance," she said.
"If the snake is in your yard or house, remove any pets and children from the area, and if you feel it's necessary contact a licensed snake catcher while keeping an eye on the snake from a distance if possible.
"Snakes are shy creatures and will flee first if their space has been encroached upon, only becoming defensive if they're cornered or provoked.
"For this reason, it is important that people never attempt to catch or kill a snake, but rather call a catcher or Wildlife Rescue South Coast."
Snakes are protected as a native animal under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016.
Morgan said snakes were becoming more active as the weather warms up and the breeding season starts.
"Snakes have a period of brumation over the cooler months where activity and feeding levels drop, but will now be emerging and seeking food and mates," she said.
"Breeding season is typically through spring and early summer.
"Snakes do not take parental care of their young, and as such do not become territorial, though diamond pythons will incubate their eggs.
"You may, however, come across some male snakes in combat over a nearby female.
"The Shoalhaven is home to a wide variety of snakes.
"We have at least 16 species of snake in the Shoalhaven, with Diamond Pythons, Small-eyed Snakes, and Red-Bellied Black Snakes being amongst the most frequently encountered," Morgan said.
"Of the 14 venomous species, the Shoalhaven is home to Tiger Snakes, Red-bellied Black Snakes, Death Adders, Eastern Brown Snakes, and The Broad Headed Snake as most notable for being dangerously venomous to humans.
"Diamond pythons are one of the most commonly encountered snakes in the Shoalhaven."
The Shoalhaven's wildlife suffered heavily during the bushfires in summer with much of the surrounding bush burnt.
However, snakes will not be looking for new places to habitat, according to Morgan.
"It is unlikely that the bushfires last summer would see an influx of snakes into urban areas," the snake expert said.
"Properties on the fringes of burnt areas may have more frequent visits from snakes seeking a meal if food sources are still depleted in the surrounding bush.
"However, the bushfires did unfortunately kill many reptiles and so their populations would be suffering too."
Morgan added the heavy rain over the colder months caused issues for the snakes.
"Some snakes will have been flushed from their holes or niches, though the holes they inhabit are often branching creating air pockets of higher ground keeping them safe from being flushed away," she said.
Morgan loves these misunderstood creatures.
"Snakes are one of the most misunderstood and vilified animals known but play integral roles in our ecosystems, and many snake venoms are being studied and used for creating new drugs to treat disease in people," Morgan said.
"They inhabit all the continents bar Antarctica, including our oceans, with some of the most incredible adaptations and physiology.
"I've always been passionate about animals, but I was in my early teens when I started really becoming interested in snakes, as I saw them as an underdog, misunderstood, and mistreated.
"They can make really wonderful pets, and I find them beautiful with some really amazing adaptations and interesting behaviours."
Morgan and her husband Graham have been with Wildlife Rescue South Coast since they moved to the Shoalhaven four years ago.
She recently took over from Graham as the organisation's reptile coordinator.
Wildlife Rescue South Coast's phone number, if anyone should find sick or injured reptiles or wildlife is 0418 427 214.