Snakes are already beginning to emerge after lying low during winter, National Parks and Wildlife Service Dubbo area manager Cameron Chaffey said.

“Snakes need to replenish fat reserves and will start looking for prey such as mice, frogs and small lizards,” he said.

The snake found on Wingewarra Street was more than likely living in town, reptile co-ordinator for the Dubbo Branch of Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) Casey Towns said.

“We do get quite a few species of venomous snakes in the region,” she said.

Ms Towns said common venomous snakes in the region are the eastern and western brown, and the red-bellied, blue-bellied, or spotted black snake.

“Black snakes are reluctant to bite but that said they can kill you if they do,” she said.

However people can prevent their backyards from becoming a habitat for snakes, Mr Chaffery said.

“If people want to keep snakes out of their backyards, I would advise them to keep the area tidy and the lawn mowed so as to avoid providing places where snakes like to take shelter,” he said

If you come face-to-face with a snake, stand still as the reptile passes or make a quick exit if there is enough distance between you and the snake, Ms Towns advised.

“The snake reacts when we react, they think of us as a predator, they are trying to defend against attack,” she said.

Those who interfere with snakes are usually the ones bitten and people should contact WIRES instead of trying to deal with the snake alone, Ms Towns said.

Residents should keep their first aid knowledge up to date and carry a bandage with them so if a snake bites the venom can be slowed, she said.

Ms Towns said protective clothing should be worn in snake habitats such as thick pants, socks and sturdy shoes as native snakes teeth are short.

She also said snakes play an important role in the Australian environment.

“Snakes are protected by law and play an important role in the environment by keeping certain species such as mice under control,” Mr Chaffery said.