Explosion in snake sighting across the Upper Hunter

The scorching weather is being blamed for a dramatic rise in snake sightings across the Upper Hunter in recent months.

Branxton based licenced catcher Laurie Duggan has been receiving up to six calls for help a day with red bellied black and brown snakes the most common.

Mr Duggan said new housing developments aren’t helping the situation either.

Snake sightings have been dominating social media community pages in the last few months with well intended warnings or questions about the type of snake someone has seen.