South Coast man wakes up to realise he was bitten by a snake

There have been multiple snake sightings in well-known bushwalking areas along the NSW South Coast, and one most recently in the backyard of a Kianga home, where a man was bitten.

Peter Jaszewski spotted a snake at his property last week.

Mr Jaszewski thought he "shooed the snake away" before entering his cabin and realising a slithering surprise under his feet.

"I panicked and gave a big yell as I lifted my leg up - the snake was like a bit of chewing gum stuck to my foot," he said.

"It was frightening."

All shaken up, Mr Jaszewski didn't realise he had been bitten until he woke up the next day.

"I went to bed that night and in the morning I woke up in agony and didn't now what was wrong - my left arm was so swollen," he said.

"I didn't feel too bad, but my arm was killing me."

After a visit to hospital, Mr Jaszewski said he was recovering fine.

"The nurses wanted a photograph so they knew what sort of snake it was," he said.

"It didn't worry me at the time, because I didn't think it bit me. It happened so quick, I didn't take any photos.

"But I think it was a red-bellied black snake."

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Mr Jaszewski's warned others: "You know they're there, so be very aware."

So, what should you do if you encounter a snake? Reptile Coordinator for Wildlife Rescue South Coast, Morgan Newans, gave some advice.

If a snake comes into your backyard, Ms Newans said to secure your pets inside and call for help if the snake doesn't move on.

"The snake will likely move on, however, if you are concerned that the snake isn't moving on, or can't keep your pets contained, you can call your local wildlife group or licensed snake catcher," she said.

"After you make the call, make sure to keep an eye on the snake from a safe distance, so we know where he is or where he has gone.

"We have been getting a few calls for snakes each week for a few weeks now.

"Never try to catch or kill a snake, as this is statistically the largest cause for snakebite to occur. Furthermore, snakes are protected under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016."

If you come across a snake while bushwalking, Ms Newans said "give them plenty of room".

"Most snakes will take off once they see you approaching, just give them the space to slither off to safety."

She said snakes were becoming more active as the weather warms up.

"Snakes are coming out of brumation - the period of lower activity due to the cooler winter months," she said.

"They'll become more active as they begin looking for food and mates for the breeding season.

"Most [snakes] will try to escape if you're coming too close, but never attempt to catch or handle a snake."

Most of the South Coast snakes are breeding from spring through to summer.

Ms Newans said some snake species will have male combat, a fantastic show as they twist around each other in an attempt to pin each other.

"Snakes however don't become more aggressive towards people during this time, nor do they rear or protect their eggs or young," she said.

"Diamond python females will sit on their eggs in one of few Australian displays of temperature regulation of the nest."

She added people should not take any risks with non-venomous species.

"Diamond pythons are generally really placid snakes, and they are of course non-venomous," she said.

"However, if you get too close or attempt to handle them because they are "harmless", there is the chance of being bitten. Also, it is illegal to interfere with native wildlife.

Ms Newans described snakes as being "incredibly amazing creatures".

"They have so many adaptations that have allowed them to inhabit some of the most extreme habitats and oceans, across nearly every continent," she said.

"They are incredibly vilified and one of the most feared animals worldwide, although I think this is mostly undeserved and a result of cultural conditioning and a widely accepted notion to fear and hate snakes."