TZR Reptiles and Wildlife owner Chris Page runs reptile and wildlife demonstrations for schools, shows and parties, but he also removed snakes and other reptiles from local properties.

He said people needed to stay aware of their surroundings, especially as snakes woke from hibernation and started breeding.

(Story continues below tweet.)

”If one is in the area it is probably looking for shelter and water and then moving on,” he said.

Mr Page said snakes would only stay on a property if they found a food source.

“One of the common areas they are found is chicken pens. Untidy chicken pens attract rats and mice, which leads to snakes,” he said, adding that despite what many people thought native snakes did not eat eggs.

He urged people not to kill snakes, saying all native wildlife were protected by law.

“If you do come across a snake keep an eye on it and start slowly backing up. Then go call a snake catcher who can locate and remove it,” he said.