We cover all of Sydney and much of Greater New South Wales, with licensed snake catchers positioned across multiple regions to keep response times fast.
Our core service areas include:
If you’re unsure whether we service your suburb, call 1300 599 938 — chances are we do.
Yes — and prevention is one of the most effective ways to minimise snake encounters on your property.
We offer practical, property-specific advice tailored to your home, garden, pets, and surrounding environment. Most people are surprised to learn that small changes can make a big difference in how attractive their yard is to snakes.
Here’s what our prevention service can include:
Snakes don’t just “decide” to visit a property. They’re drawn in by things such as:
We help you pinpoint exactly what’s drawing them in and how to address it.
Small changes to the layout of your garden can significantly reduce snake activity. We look at things like:
You don’t need to turn your yard into a carpark — just subtle adjustments that remove hiding spots.
Many snake enquiries come from people who are shocked to find a snake in:
We identify and explain access points, from gaps under roller doors to openings behind hot water systems, then show you how to seal or manage them to reduce the chances of snakes coming inside.
Every property is different. We can walk you through:
This knowledge alone gives many homeowners far more confidence.
Dogs and cats are frequently involved in snake encounters.
We can advise you on:
A realistic note
No service can guarantee snakes will never appear — they’re a natural part of the Australian environment.
But with the right steps, you can dramatically reduce the likelihood of snakes choosing your property as part of their routine.
If prevention is a priority, we’re happy to assess your home and provide clear, practical advice that actually works.
First things first: stay calm and keep your distance… but watch it, watch it, watch it.
The single most important thing you can do is keep eyes on the snake from a safe distance. If it hides under a bin or something stand where you would be visible to the snake. That will prevent it from trying to leave. The snake sees you as a much larger threat and it will stay where it feels safe.
If we know exactly where it is, we can usually catch it quickly.
If it disappears, the job becomes much harder and often involves searching every corner of the yard or home.
Do not try to catch or kill the snake. That is how the overwhelming majority of bites happen.
Even non-venomous snakes can cause serious injury if mishandled.
Follow these steps:
We’ll guide you step-by-step over the phone and talk you through exactly what to do while we’re on the way.
Snakes don’t want to approach you. They’re not aggressive by default and will always choose escape over confrontation.
Your job is simply to keep a safe distance, keep eyes on, and let us handle the rest.
Yes — snakes pose a significant risk to both dogs and cats in Australia.
It’s estimated that around 7,000 pets (dogs and cats combined) are treated by veterinarians each year for suspected snakebite. Sadly, many don’t survive, and the reasons are straightforward:
Everything is working against the animal having a good outcome, which is why rapid veterinary treatment is essential.
Symptoms can vary, but you should treat anything out of the ordinary as a potential snakebite. Common signs include:
Some pets collapse, then seem to recover, only to deteriorate quickly — a classic pattern with venomous snakebite.
Snakes and pets simply don’t mix well, and prevention is always the best defence.
In many cases, you simply can’t — and you shouldn’t get close enough to try.
Australia has some of the most venomous snakes on the planet, and some of the most harmless ones… but many of them look surprisingly similar, especially to the untrained eye. Even experienced snake catchers sometimes need a photo or a closer inspection to be sure.
Here’s what people often get wrong
If you’re not 100% certain, treat the snake as venomous and follow these steps:
Photos can help
A quick photo taken from a safe distance (zoom is your friend) can often allow us to identify the species instantly and tell you whether the snake is dangerous or harmless.
But never risk getting closer just to get a better picture.
If you have to ask yourself whether a snake is venomous, that’s your answer: assume it is, keep your distance, and call us.
Sometimes.
We frequently remove snakes from:
These areas provide warmth, shelter, and a sense of security — ideal conditions for snakes.
But here’s the honest truth:
We can only remove the snake if we can actually reach it.
If the snake is sitting on insulation, stretched across rafters, or resting on beams, no problem — we can usually get it safely.
However, if the snake has wedged itself:
then removal may not be possible at that moment.
Snakes are extremely good at squeezing into spaces humans simply can’t enter.
That doesn’t mean the snake will stay there permanently — they move on when they warm up, cool down, finish digesting a meal, or feel the need to change location.
What we can do:
If you suspect a snake is inside your home’s structure:
Call 1300 599 938 and we’ll assess the situation. Many snakes that vanish into inaccessible spots will eventually move into areas where safe removal becomes possible.
Snakes don’t “break in” — they simply take advantage of gaps, openings, and opportunities around the home. If there’s a space big enough for their head to fit through, the rest of the body follows easily.
Snakes aren’t trying to move in. They enter for very simple reasons:
Most indoor snake visits are accidental and temporary. Snakes rarely want to stay inside a house — it’s unfamiliar, loud, bright, and full of movement.
When snakes turn up in or around homes, they’re almost always just lost.
Snakes don’t want to be in houses. They don’t seek out people, pets, noise, or bright spaces. If snakes had facial expressions, you’d see nothing but terror when they realise they’ve wandered into a human environment.
An adult snake may be 10 to 50 years old, and it has spent its entire life navigating its home range without ever crossing paths with the homeowner. Eventually, though, it’s almost inevitable that paths will cross — and the snake is just as surprised as you are.
Snakes don’t want confrontation.
They’re not trying to “move in” or cause trouble.
They simply want to get back outside, into familiar territory, away from giants — us.
If a snake has made its way indoors, call 1300 599 938 immediately and keep an eye on its location until we arrive.
Yes.
In New South Wales, snake catching is a regulated activity, and anyone who captures or relocates native reptiles must hold a current NPWS (National Parks and Wildlife Service) licence.
A licensed snake catcher is required to:
This licensing system protects the public, protects the snake, and ensures the work is done safely and legally.
While NPWS does not require a Working With Children Check (WWCC) as part of its snake-catching licensing process, we set a higher standard.
All catchers working for Sydney Snake Catcher hold a current Working With Children Check clearance.
This matters because:
Snakes entering homes are almost always lost and terrified.
Most adults we encounter are anywhere from 10 to 50 years old, and they’ve spent decades navigating their home range without ever deliberately approaching people. When they end up in a living room, garage, or bathroom, it’s accidental — and they want nothing more than to get back outside, away from “giants,” which is how they perceive us.
Licensed, trained, and properly vetted catchers understand this and handle both the snake and the situation safely, calmly, and ethically.
If you need a licensed professional, call 1300 599 938 any time.
Yes — we relocate all reptile species, including:
But when it comes to lizards and goannas, there’s a bit more to the story.
These guys are completely harmless and were once a common feature in most Sydney backyards.
We often joke that if you’ve got a blue-tongue, there are only two things you need to do:
Blue-tongues do far more good than harm. They eat snails, slugs, and pests, and they’re generally slow, gentle animals.
If they’re safe from dogs and you can tolerate them, they’re worth keeping around.
That said, not everyone loves reptiles as much as we do, so if you’d prefer it removed, we completely understand.
Water dragons are brilliant at adapting to the urban environment.
People often ask for removal when they get a bit too confident — stealing pet food, muscling pets away from their bowls, or repeatedly turning up in inconvenient spots.
And because they are, quite literally, water dragons, they often poo in swimming pools, which gets old very quickly.
If one is becoming a nuisance, we can relocate it to a more suitable location.
Monitor lizards (goannas) have large home ranges that naturally intersect with backyards.
A single suburban yard isn’t big enough for a goanna to take up permanent residence, but they’ll wander through regularly as part of their natural range.
However, monitors can:
If a monitor is repeatedly entering your roof or becoming a danger to pets, removal is often the best option.
And without question:
Large monitors are the most dangerous animals we handle.
Not because they’re aggressive, but because of their claws, strength, and ability to cause serious injury if mishandled.
If it’s a reptile and it shouldn’t be where it is, we can help.
Call 1300 599 938 for advice or removal.
Absolutely.
If you’ve lost sight of the snake, we can carry out a full inspection of your property and check all the places snakes typically hide. Snakes are exceptionally good at disappearing into tiny gaps — far better than most people realise — so a proper search is often worthwhile.
Snakes are masters of slipping into:
In many cases, they don’t flee far — they simply move a metre or two into cover and wait.
We’ll:
If the snake is still present and reachable, we’ll remove it safely.
If it has moved on, you’ll still get valuable information that helps prevent future encounters.
A helpful perspective
Most snakes around homes are just lost.
They don’t want to be in your yard, let alone in your house. If snakes had facial expressions, you’d see pure panic — they’ve suddenly wandered into unfamiliar territory, surrounded by “giants”… us.
Many adult snakes are 10 to 50 years old, and they’ve spent decades quietly moving around the same home range without ever crossing paths with you. Eventually, a meeting is inevitable — and the snake is just as surprised as you are.
If you’ve seen a snake but don’t know where it’s gone, call 1300 599 938. We’ll help determine whether it’s still on the property and what you should do next.
Sometimes — but a description alone is usually too vague to be reliable.
Many people say things like “it was brown,” “it was black,” or “it was stripy,” which could apply to a whole range of species in Sydney. Colour and body pattern are not always helpful, because many snakes look superficially similar along the body.
A photo taken from a safe distance is far more useful than a verbal description. Even a blurry photo can often give us enough information to identify the snake correctly.
And importantly:
Snake skins can be useful — but only if the head of the skin is intact.
The body portion alone rarely gives enough information to confirm the species, because:
If the head of the skin is present, we have a much better chance of making an accurate identification.
We’ll still work with whatever you can describe, and we’ll ask specific questions to narrow it down. But if you’re unsure, the safest approach is always the same:
Call 1300 599 938 for identification and assistance
No — this is a myth.
Snakes do not chase people. They don’t have the behavioural wiring for it, and they gain nothing by attacking something that outweighs them by hundreds of kilos.
What often gets mistaken for “chasing” is simply this:
You’re standing in the snake’s escape route.
If a snake feels threatened — particularly species like eastern browns or occasionally red-bellied black snakes — it may lunge or bluff in your direction once or twice. This isn’t aggression. It’s panic.
The snake is saying “Please move so I can bolt.” And bolt is exactly what they do the moment they feel they have space.
Snakes see the world differently. From their point of view:
It doesn’t matter how long a snake is — a 2-metre snake is still only a few centimetres tall. We’re towering skyscrapers by comparison.
Snakes don’t have the confidence or the physical ability to “chase” something so massive. Their entire instinct is geared toward escape, not combat.
People kill far more snakes than snakes kill people.
Snakes aren’t out to pick a fight — they’re simply trying to survive in a world full of animals much larger than themselves.
If you give a snake space, it will nearly always take the opportunity to disappear.
If you’re ever unsure or feel unsafe, call 1300 599 938 and we’ll take it from there.
Generally, no — snakes don’t return to the exact spot where they were found. They don’t have nests, families, or permanent “homes” the way mammals do.
What they do have is a home range — a broader area they’ve learned and navigated over many years. An adult snake could be anywhere from 10 to 50 years old, and it has spent its entire life quietly moving around the same patch of bushland, creek lines, gardens, parks, and rock edges without ever crossing paths with you.
So when one shows up in your yard, it’s actually quite remarkable timing.
We handle relocation ethically and realistically:
Almost never. Snakes don’t:
If anything, the snake is as relieved as you are that the encounter is over.
Snakes don’t want to be near people — and if they had facial expressions, you’d see nothing but pure panic when they accidentally end up near a home. They just want to get back to an area they understand, and away from “giants”… us.
A final thought
Education is half the job; snake removal is the other half.
Helping people understand how snakes use their environment — and how little interest they have in interacting with humans — goes a long way toward reducing fear and preventing unnecessary harm.
If a snake appears on your property, call 1300 599 938 and we’ll take care of it safely, responsibly, and with the right balance of public and wildlife welfare.
It varies.
Some snakes may remain in a cool, sheltered location for hours, while others may move on within minutes. Temperature, species, time of day, and disturbance all influence how long a snake decides to stay put.
A few things can keep a snake in one spot for longer:
After eating, many snakes — especially diamond pythons, which often feed on ring-tailed possums — slip into what can only be described as a food coma.
Once they’ve hunted overnight, they often choose the nearest warm or comfortable surface to digest their meal.
It’s not unusual to find a diamond python:
A large meal can slow a snake down for 24–48 hours, sometimes longer.
Snakes rely on external heat to function.
On cooler days or during early mornings, they may stay in the same position for extended periods simply because their body temperature is too low to move far.
If a snake finds a sheltered, quiet, low-traffic spot — such as under decking, behind a pot plant, or in a roof cavity — it may remain there until disturbed or until environmental conditions change.
In short, snakes stay still for all kinds of reasons — digestion, temperature, shelter, and general reptile laziness all play a part.
If you’re unsure whether a snake is still on your property, call 1300 599 938 and we can check the area thoroughly.
No.
All native snakes in NSW are protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act. Killing a snake is illegal, and more importantly, it is extremely dangerous.
Most snakebites in Australia occur when people try to catch or kill a snake. The idea that attacking a snake “keeps you safe” is one of the most harmful myths we deal with.
The statistics are very clear
Around 450 people in Australia require antivenom every year, and the overwhelming majority fall into one of three groups:
Very few bites occur during normal day-to-day encounters where people simply keep their distance.
When someone tries to attack a snake:
It is the perfect recipe for a bite.
And remember:
Snakes don’t want to be near people.
Most are simply lost, caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, and terrified of the giant towering over them.
If a snake is on your property:
Trying to kill a snake not only breaks the law — it dramatically increases your risk of being bitten.
For safe, legal assistance, call 1300 599 938.
No — and don’t get us started on snake repellents.
There is no such thing as a proven snake repellent. Not ultrasonic devices, not powders, not sprays, not oils, not crystals. None of them work, and many are little more than expensive wishful thinking.
The ones sold in big hardware stores claim to vibrate through the ground using a couple of AA batteries. If you pause and think about the size of a backyard — and the idea that two small batteries are meant to send a meaningful vibration deep into the soil — you quickly realise how illogical the whole thing is.
Snakes don’t flee from these devices. They simply ignore them.
Online retailers sell endless powders and granules that supposedly repel snakes. These sound more plausible, but we’ve never seen a single one work in the real world. And we’ve seen a lot — because many of our customers already don’t like snakes, so they’ve tried everything before they call us.
Over the years, we’ve encountered:
None have made the slightest difference to snake activity.
The only effective strategy is reducing what attracts snakes in the first place:
We can assess your property and give tailored, practical advice that actually works.
Snakes can appear at any time of year, but their behaviour changes dramatically with the seasons. Understanding those seasonal patterns helps explain why snakes turn up where they do.
Spring is when snakes become highly active after a winter of little or no feeding. They’re:
This combination makes spring the peak season for sightings and snake removals.
In summer, snakes make the most of the heat. They’re feeding, moving, and digesting quickly.
Towards the end of summer, diamond pythons in particular are commonly found in backyards after a big feed on ring-tailed possums. Once full, they slip into a food coma and often end up in comical positions — draped over balcony railings, curled up on outdoor tiles, or snoozing in full view simply because the surface is warm and quiet.
As temperatures start dropping, snakes feed heavily in preparation for the cooler months. They’re still active during early autumn, but sightings gradually taper off as the weather cools.
Snakes enter brumation during winter — the reptile equivalent of hibernation in the Southern Hemisphere. They slow down considerably, conserve energy, and often remain hidden for long stretches.
During winter:
A simple way to think about it:
Sydney occasionally gets unseasonably warm winter days, and these can bring snakes out for a quick bask. Sightings are less common but certainly still possible.
There’s always a reason snakes choose one property over another — and it’s almost never personal. Snakes aren’t targeting you, stalking you, or setting up camp. More often than not, your property simply has something they want, or they’re just moving through their long-established home range and you happen to spot them.
Here are the most common attractants:
Pools, ponds, fish ponds, dripping taps, leaky hoses, or even an always-damp corner of the yard can draw in snakes — especially during hot weather.
This is the big one.
If you have rats or mice, you’re essentially running a buffet for venomous snakes. Rodent activity around compost bins, chicken coops, bird aviaries, garages, and sheds is one of the strongest attractants.
These areas provide:
It’s a perfect combination from a snake’s point of view.
Snakes don’t need much space to hide. They love:
These spaces offer protection and stable temperatures.
These attract frogs, rodents, and insects — all of which attract snakes.
The heaps themselves also provide soft, insulated hiding spots.
These structures create a network of cracks, gaps, and tunnels — ideal for snakes looking for shelter or warmth.
Warm pavers, retaining walls, pool coping, and garden edges are prime real estate for snakes warming themselves after a cool night or after a big meal.
A helpful perspective
Seeing snakes regularly doesn’t mean they’ve “moved in.”
Snakes have home ranges, not homes. An adult snake may be 10 to 50 years old and has been quietly navigating the same area for decades without you ever noticing.
When you suddenly start seeing them, it’s usually because:
They’re not choosing you — you’re simply finally noticing them.
If snakes had facial expressions, you’d see nothing but terror when they realise they’ve wandered near a house. They just want to get back to somewhere familiar, away from the “giants”… us.
Yes — absolutely.
We run snake awareness sessions for:
These sessions can cover:
A huge part of our training is delivered at worksites, and a lot of these sessions are booked after we’ve attended the site to remove a snake.
Once a venomous snake has been found at a workplace, it’s clear that snakes live in the area, and many employers want staff to:
Toolbox talks are short, practical, and tailored specifically to the workplace we’ve just attended. They’re incredibly effective at reducing fear, improving safety, and preventing dangerous misunderstandings — especially after a snake incident has put everyone on edge.
Talking about snakes is one of our favourite things in the world — and our family and friends have heard enough. So any chance to talk to someone new about these incredible animals is always welcome.
Most people walk away feeling far calmer and much better informed.
Education is half the job; snake catching is the other half.
We tailor every presentation to suit:
Sessions can be anything from a quick 15-minute toolbox chat to a full-length training session with Q&A.
Just call or email with what you’re after, and we’ll take care of the rest.
Phone: 1300 599 938
No.
Taking a snake from the wild is illegal in NSW. All native reptiles are protected, and keeping them requires the correct licence. Wild-caught snakes cannot be kept as pets under any circumstances.
Even aside from the legal issues, wild snakes do not make good captives. They’re not accustomed to handling, confinement, or human activity, and keeping one causes unnecessary stress to the animal.
If you do want a pet snake…
There are many excellent, reputable breeders in Australia producing captive-bred snakes that are:
You’ll get a far better animal — and at a reasonable price — by choosing a captive-bred snake rather than attempting to take one from the wild.
Captive reptiles also come with the advantage of:
If you’re interested in keeping reptiles, we’re always happy to point you toward the right resources, licence information, and reputable breeders.
Snakebite first aid in Australia is simple — and it saves lives.
A tiny scratch that barely stings can still deliver enough venom to be life-threatening.
If the snake is still on the property or poses a risk to others, call 1300 599 938 and we will attend to handle the animal safely.
Yes — absolutely.
We not only attend construction sites, we do so regularly, and we have ongoing contracts and long-standing relationships with some of Australia’s largest companies and infrastructure projects across New South Wales.
From small residential builds to major Tier 1 sites, we are fully equipped and compliant to work safely and efficiently in high-risk environments.
Yes — absolutely.
We not only attend construction sites, we do so regularly, and we have ongoing contracts and long-standing relationships with some of Australia’s largest companies and infrastructure projects across New South Wales.
From small residential builds to major Tier 1 sites, we are fully equipped and compliant to work safely and efficiently in high-risk environments.
Snakes on construction sites are extremely common. As soon as land is cleared, trenches are dug, materials are stored, or vibration and noise push wildlife around, snakes naturally move through these disturbed areas. When a venomous snake turns up:
We understand the urgency and the safety protocols required to get the site operational again.
✔ NPWS Licensed
All catchers hold the correct NPWS Catch and Release Licence, required to remove native wildlife legally.
✔ Full insurance coverage
We carry:
Certificates of currency can be supplied on request.
✔ White Cards and site inductions
All staff accessing worksites hold White Cards, and we are familiar with online and in-person induction processes such as:
We can complete required inductions before attending if needed.
✔ PPE compliant
We attend sites with all appropriate PPE:
If your site requires additional PPE, we can accommodate that too.
We have provided snake removal, safety support, and staff education for:
We understand the pace, pressure, and documentation required on sites like these.
Many construction companies bring us in for a Toolbox Talk immediately after a snake has been removed.
Once a snake has been found on-site, it’s obvious the species lives in the surrounding area, and employers want workers to understand:
These sessions dramatically reduce panic, misinformation, downtime, and unsafe improvisation.
When we attend a construction site:
We’re fast, discreet, and used to working around dozens or hundreds of personnel.
If you have a snake on a construction site — or you want to organise a Toolbox Talk for your crews — call 1300 599 938 and we’ll take care of it.
