Wet weather bringing more snakes out of hiding

Australia is facing its third La Nina weather system, and an increase in snake sightings is an unexpected consequence of the continued deluge.

There's been a spike in calls for help dealing with snakes in people's backyards on the New South Wales Coffs Coast, with a large python even being seen soaking up the sun on Woolgoolga Beach.

The Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service (WIRES) have warned animal "displacement" is common in wet weather and has an impact on snakes despite their ability to "bunker down".

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"We've seen that across the board with all the different animals," WIRES reptile expert Kenny Damanschke told NBN News.

He's urged residents not to panic if they come across a snake and instead "stand back and observe".

"Don't touch snakes if you don't know what you're doing," Damanschke said.

"They're a protected species so we're not supposed to interfere with them."

Locals should contact WIRES or a professional snake handler if they are concerned about one near their home.

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Australia's snake season generally hits between September and April as they start to venture out looking for food or a mate, but this can be brought forward if the end of winter and start of spring are unseasonably warm.

In the rain, snakes are known to try and find cover and have been located in schools, houses or home gutters and pipes.

Damanschke said looking at snakes from a distance is safe, if they aren't in the home, but issued a reminder to keep children clear.

"We can teach people that we don't need to worry about them - just keep an eye on them."

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When it comes to pets, he warned cats and dogs can often pose more of a risk to snakes.

"Realistically dogs aren't a food source for these guys," Damanschke said.

"They're looking for rodents, small birds or the sort of things they can eat.

"We'll quite often find them stalking a bird aviary, or somewhere where they've got scent trails from rodents running past."

While snakes can look scary, Damanschke said that under the scales they are loveable creatures.

"I'd love it if people could learn a little bit more about these animals," he said.

We're surrounded by them ... they're no threat to us unless we interfere with them."