Saratoga sits on a peninsula extending into Brisbane Water, north of Empire Bay, with water wrapping around three sides of the suburb. Its leafy post-war and mid-century properties, mature trees and sandstone retaining walls provide excellent reptile habitat. The extensive waterfront is one of the main reasons Saratoga supports such a varied mix of reptiles.
Diamond Pythons are regularly found in roof cavities throughout Saratoga. They are non-venomous but large and powerfully built, with adults reaching between two and three metres. Their black scales are covered with cream or yellow markings.
They follow rats and possums into roofs, sheds and established gardens. Where it is safe to leave one in place, our catcher may recommend doing so because Diamond Pythons are beneficial and help control rodents.
Eastern Water Dragons are prominent along the Saratoga foreshore. These large native lizards have grey-olive scales, dark banding and long, flattened tails. They are often seen basking on rocks, retaining walls and decks near the water.
Their size and long tails mean they are frequently mistaken for snakes. Eastern Water Dragons are non-venomous, protected native animals, and most sightings do not require relocation.
Red-bellied Black Snakes move through the creek lines, gullies and damp areas around the peninsula. They are glossy black with red or pink colouring along the underside and lower sides.
These venomous snakes feed heavily on frogs and are attracted to areas providing water and moisture. They will generally move away when given enough room but may defend themselves if approached, cornered or handled.
Lace Monitors occasionally visit properties adjoining bushland. These large native goannas have grey-black scales with cream or yellow banding and may grow to more than two metres, including the tail.
They generally pose no danger when left alone but can deliver a serious defensive bite or scratch if cornered or restrained.
All native snakes, Eastern Water Dragons and Lace Monitors are protected under NSW law. They should be caught or relocated only by an appropriately licensed handler.
Keep your distance and do not attempt to catch, handle or trap it yourself. Watching the snake is the most useful thing you can do. If it remains visible, continue watching from a safe position. If it moves into cover, remember exactly where it went.
That information is more useful to the catcher than a photograph or an attempt to identify the species.
Call The Snake Catchers on 1300 599 938. We will dispatch a licensed local catcher who covers Saratoga and the surrounding Central Coast suburbs. Most jobs are attended within around 30 minutes.
Saratoga’s position beside Brisbane Water, together with its established gardens, mature trees, sandstone landscaping and nearby bushland, provides suitable habitat for a wide range of native reptiles.
Species encountered around Saratoga include Diamond Pythons, Red-bellied Black Snakes, Common Tree Snakes, Golden-crowned Snakes and Eastern Brown Snakes. Eastern Blue-tongued Lizards and Eastern Water Dragons are also common, while Lace Monitors occasionally visit properties adjoining larger areas of bushland.
If a reptile needs to be removed, call The Snake Catchers on 1300 599 938. Native reptile capture and relocation should be undertaken only by someone holding the appropriate NSW licence.
Diamond Pythons are large, non-venomous snakes with cream or yellow markings against a dark background. They are strong climbers and may be found in roof cavities, trees, sheds, garages, mature gardens and along fences.
Roof spaces provide warmth and shelter and may contain rats, mice or possums. A python can enter through damaged tiles, gaps beneath eaves or other openings around the roof.
Diamond Pythons may bite when handled or restrained. If one is inside a roof or somewhere else it cannot safely remain, call 1300 599 938 rather than attempting to remove it yourself.
Red-bellied Black Snakes are venomous and generally have a glossy black upper body with red, pink or orange colouring along the lower sides.
They are associated with moist habitats and feed on frogs, tadpoles, fish, reptiles and small mammals. Around Saratoga properties, they may be found near drainage areas, ponds, water features, pool equipment, damp garden beds or spaces beneath decks.
A Red-bellied Black Snake will generally move away when given enough room but may defend itself if approached, cornered or handled. Step back and watch where it goes from a safe distance.
Common Tree Snakes are slender, non-venomous snakes that vary considerably in colour. They may be green, olive, brown, grey or almost black, usually with a paler underside.
They are excellent climbers and move through shrubs, trees, pergolas, fences and rooflines while hunting frogs, skinks and geckos.
Leave the snake alone and allow it to move away. Never rely on colour alone when attempting to identify a snake.
Golden-crowned Snakes are small, nocturnal snakes with a dark body and a distinctive pale marking across the head.
They shelter beneath rocks, timber, garden edging, pavers and leaf litter, particularly in cool or damp areas. The species is mildly venomous, but its bite is not considered dangerous to people. It should still be left alone and never handled.
When threatened, a Golden-crowned Snake may flatten its head and raise the front of its body defensively.
Eastern Brown Snakes are highly venomous and occur throughout the wider Central Coast region. Their colour varies from pale tan and orange-brown through to dark brown or almost black.
They may be found around open ground, sheds, garages, stored materials and places supporting rats or mice. Never approach an Eastern Brown Snake or attempt to block its escape.
Keep well back, watch where it goes and call 1300 599 938.
Eastern Blue-tongued Lizards are large native skinks. They commonly shelter in garden beds, rockeries, garages, sheds and beneath outdoor furniture.
When threatened, a Blue-tongue may flatten its body, open its mouth, display its blue tongue and hiss. This is a defensive display. Leave the lizard alone and give it time to move away.
Assistance may be required if it is injured, trapped inside a building or in immediate danger.
Eastern Water Dragons are large native lizards associated with waterways and nearby vegetation. They may also use gardens, rocks, decks and pool surrounds.
They have strong legs, a crest along the back and a long, flattened tail that assists with swimming. Most Water Dragons found outside can be left alone. Removal may be appropriate when one is injured, trapped or confined inside a building.
Lace Monitors are large native goannas that occasionally move into residential properties from nearby bushland. They are strong climbers and may visit gardens, decks, compost areas and poultry enclosures while searching for food.
A Lace Monitor will generally leave when given enough space. Do not feed, corner or attempt to catch it. A large monitor can cause a serious bite or scratch if restrained.
Different species are attracted to particular habitats and sources of food:
The presence of a reptile does not necessarily mean anything is wrong with the property. It may simply be moving through the area.
Common shelter and movement areas include:
Never place your hands into a concealed space when a snake may be present.
Step back and watch where the snake goes from a safe position. Its current location, or the exact place it was last seen, is the most useful information you can give the catcher.
Do not approach it for a photograph, attempt to identify it at close range or use a broom or other object to move it. If it disappears, leave the surrounding area undisturbed.
Call The Snake Catchers on 1300 599 938 and explain whether the snake is inside or outside and where it was last seen.
Do not enter the roof or attempt to pull the python through an opening. Keep the area beneath the roof access clear and call for assistance.
Although Diamond Pythons are non-venomous, roof spaces can contain electrical wiring, restricted access and other hazards.
Leave the room without approaching the snake. Close the internal door if it is safe to do so and place a rolled towel along the gap underneath.
Do not move furniture or appliances to search for it. Call 1300 599 938 and explain exactly where the snake was last seen.
Treat every suspected snakebite as a medical emergency:
Stay with the person and follow the emergency operator’s instructions.
No property can be made completely snake-proof. Do not rely on powders, sprays or ultrasonic devices as a substitute for ordinary property maintenance.
Practical measures include:
Before sealing a roof cavity or structural opening, make sure no native animal is already inside.
Eastern Blue-tongued Lizards and other native reptiles are part of the local environment and usually require no action when they are outside and able to move away safely.
Yes. The Snake Catchers provides licensed snake removal for houses, villas, apartments, holiday properties and businesses throughout Saratoga. Call 1300 599 938 at any time to arrange assistance.
Travel time depends on catcher availability, traffic and other call-outs already underway. We will give you an estimated arrival time when the booking is confirmed. We do not promise a fixed 30-minute response.
Keep well back and watch where the snake goes. If it disappears, remember exactly where you last saw it and leave that area undisturbed.
Do not approach the snake, attempt to move it or start searching through garden beds, furniture or stored materials. You do not need to identify or photograph it before calling.
Species occurring across Saratoga and the surrounding Brisbane Water area include Diamond Pythons, Red-bellied Black Snakes, Common Tree Snakes, Golden-crowned Snakes and Eastern Brown Snakes.
The species encountered will vary between properties and seasons. This list is not a ranking of Saratoga call-outs.
Saltwater does not directly attract land snakes. The surrounding vegetation, damp drainage areas, gardens and available food are more important.
Red-bellied Black Snakes are associated with moist habitats and places supporting frogs. Diamond Pythons may move through trees, fences and mature gardens or enter buildings containing rodents.
No. Diamond Pythons are strong climbers and may enter through broken tiles, openings beneath eaves or other gaps around the roof.
Roof cavities provide shelter and may contain rats, mice or possums. Do not enter the roof or attempt to pull the python out yourself.
Leave the room without approaching it. Close the internal door if it is safe to do so and place a rolled towel along the gap underneath.
Do not move furniture or appliances trying to locate the snake. Call 1300 599 938 and explain where it was last seen.
A snake may be travelling between areas of habitat or searching for shelter, suitable temperatures or prey. Its presence does not mean the property is dirty or poorly maintained.
Gardens, retaining walls, roof cavities, spaces beneath decks and areas containing frogs or rodents can all provide temporary shelter or food.
Not necessarily. Many sightings involve an individual snake passing through. However, one sighting cannot confirm that no other snakes use the same property at another time.
Different snakes may independently use the same garden, roof space, retaining wall or food source.
No. Do not handle, trap, corner or strike it. Venomous snakes occur in the wider area, and a non-venomous Diamond Python can still bite when restrained.
Step back, watch where it moves and call 1300 599 938.
Yes. Native snakes are protected wildlife in NSW. Commercial capture and relocation should be undertaken by a suitably qualified handler authorised under the appropriate NSW reptile catch-and-release licence.
A reptile keeper licence alone does not authorise someone to provide a commercial snake-removal service.
The Snake Catchers — 1300 599 938. Available 24 hours a day across Saratoga and surrounding Central Coast suburbs.
