Found a snake in Pretty Beach? Call The Snake Catchers on 1300 599 938. We'll send a licensed catcher who lives and works on the Central Coast and covers Woy Woy and the surrounding villages, most jobs attended within around 30 minutes.
Pretty Beach sits on the western shore of the Bouddi Peninsula, north of Wagstaffe. Bouddi National Park runs right up against the residential streets on the landward side, and Brisbane Water sits on the other. Sandstone outcrops, mature canopy and bushland integrated blocks make this a suburb where the bush is a neighbour rather than a backdrop, which is why the reptile activity here is both busy and varied.
Diamond python is what we're called out for most in Pretty Beach. Not venomous, but large, adults reach two to three metres, black with cream or yellow markings. Follows rats and possums into roof cavities, sandstone walls and mature gardens.
Golden crowned snake and green tree snake are both regulars, thanks to the sandstone and canopy through the suburb. The golden crowned snake is small, nocturnal and only mildly venomous, not dangerous to people. The green tree snake is harmless and a confident climber.
Lace monitor is a consistent presence on the bushland edge blocks, given how close Pretty Beach sits to both Brisbane Water and Bouddi National Park. A large goanna, grey black with pale banding, harmless if left alone but capable of a nasty bite or scratch if cornered.
Red bellied black snake is the second most common snake in Pretty Beach, concentrated around Brisbane Water and the creek lines feeding into it. Glossy black with a red or pink underside, it follows frogs and moisture. Venomous but not aggressive, it moves off if given space.
Eastern water dragon is prominent along the Brisbane Water foreshore, a large lizard often mistaken for a snake purely because of its size. Harmless and protected.
Blue tongue lizard. Not a snake, but the single most called about reptile in Pretty Beach overall. Large, slow moving, and prone to hissing and flattening itself when startled. Completely harmless and useful in the garden, eating snails, slugs and insects.
Every animal on this list, snake or lizard, is protected under NSW law. Only a licensed handler can legally catch or relocate them.
Keep your distance and don't try to handle or trap it yourself. Watching it is the most useful thing you can do, if it's visible, stay on it, and if it moves into cover, remember exactly where. That detail matters more than a photo or knowing the species.
Call 1300 599 938 any time for snake removal in Pretty Beach and the surrounding villages.
Pretty Beach sits on the western shore of the Bouddi Peninsula, north of Wagstaffe, with Bouddi National Park backing directly onto the residential streets and Brisbane Water frontage on the other side. Sandstone outcrops run through the suburb, the canopy is mature, and the blocks are bushland integrated rather than simply bush adjacent. That's the reason the reptile activity here is both consistent and varied.
If you find a snake on your property, call The Snake Catchers on 1300 599 938. The catcher who attends lives and works on the Central Coast, and knows this part of the peninsula well.
Diamond python. The species we attend most often in Pretty Beach. Not venomous, but large, adults reach two to three metres, black with cream or yellow markings. Follows rats and possums into roof cavities, sandstone walls and mature gardens. Where it's safe, we'll often leave it in place, it helps with rodent control.
Red bellied black snake. The next most common. Glossy black, red or pink underside, generally one and a half to two metres. Follows frogs and moisture, found around drainage lines, creeks, pool areas and damp garden beds, especially after rain. Venomous but not defensive, it moves off if given space.
Green tree snake and golden crowned snake. Both regular here, thanks to the sandstone, canopy and bushland reserves. The green tree snake is harmless and a confident climber. The golden crowned snake is small, nocturnal and only mildly venomous, not dangerous to people.
Blue tongue lizard. Not a snake, but one of the most called about reptiles in Pretty Beach. Large, slow moving, and prone to hissing and flattening itself when startled. Completely harmless and useful in a garden, it eats snails, slugs and insects.
Eastern water dragon. Prominent along the Brisbane Water foreshore, a large lizard often mistaken for a snake because of its size. Harmless and protected.
Lace monitor. A regular and significant presence, given the suburb's position near both Brisbane Water and Bouddi National Park, this is some of the best lace monitor country on the Coast. Harmless if left alone, though it will bite or scratch if cornered.
Eastern brown snake. Uncommon in Pretty Beach given the bushland, sandstone and waterfront character, but it does turn up occasionally, more often on the drier western edges than near the water or deep bushland. Fast moving and venomous, considered the most dangerous land snake in Australia. Keep your distance and call us if you see one.
Every animal on this list is protected under NSW law. Only a licensed handler can legally catch or relocate them.
Keep your distance and don't try to handle it yourself. Watching it is the most useful thing you can do, if it's visible, stay on it, and if it moves into cover, remember exactly where. That detail matters more than a photo or knowing the species. Call 1300 599 938 and we'll stay on the phone with you.
If it's a python in the roof, there's no need to panic, it isn't dangerous. Just leave it be until the catcher arrives.
If a snake gets into the house, through a door, a gap around pipes or a worn seal, leave the room, shut the door behind you, and call us straight away.
Call 000 immediately. Apply a firm pressure bandage, starting at the bite and working up the limb, then back down. Don't cut, wash or suck the bite. Splint the limb to keep it still. Keep the person calm and still, movement spreads venom faster. Mark the bite site on the bandage if you have a pen. Don't try to identify, photograph or catch the snake. Stay with the person and wait for the ambulance.
Sprays, powders and ultrasonic devices don't work, don't waste money on them.
For pythons, reduce rats and possums getting into the roof, that's what draws them. For red bellies, keep pool pump areas and damp garden beds tidy, and manage drainage lines near the house. For tree snakes and golden crowns, clearing leaf litter and thick planting near the house can cut sightings down, though neither is dangerous. Blue tongues aren't a problem to fix, they're worth having around.
General upkeep helps across the board: mow regularly, clear leaf litter, trim plants back from walls, keep sheds tidy, store timber off the ground, seal small gaps, and don't leave pet food out.
Call The Snake Catchers on 1300 599 938 any time for snake removal in Pretty Beach and the surrounding area.
