A surge in dry season burn offs is being attributed to a rise in snakes entering suburban areas in the Top End, following news a 25-year-old man was bitten by one of the reptiles in Karama.

St John Ambulance emergency communications centre manager Craig Garraway said the man had called triple-0 after being bitten by a snake at around 9.30pm on Monday night.

“The snake would have been looking for food I’d say and unfortunately a human got in the way and suffered the consequences,” he told Mix 147.9.  

“He’s recovering quite well, there’s no concerns in regards to serious envenomation.”  

Mr Garraway said snake sightings in suburban areas had increased recently, with the Nightcliff, Nakara and Karama areas considered hot spots.

“They have a fair bit of bushland around and that does bring the snakes out,” he said.  

“We have had a few snake bites over the last couple of months … there’s been a few fires in the bush area and that traditionally brings out the snakes.”   

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