Call Sydney Snake Catcher on 1300 599 938
If you've found a snake in your West Pennant Hills garden, on a path, near the driveway or anywhere else on the property, call 1300 599 938. We're usually on site within around thirty minutes depending on traffic and access, and we operate twenty-four hours across West Pennant Hills and the wider Hills Shire and Hornsby corridor. When a snake appears unexpectedly, the right move is straightforward. Step back, give it room, call us, and let us handle it.
West Pennant Hills sits straddled across the Hills Shire and Hornsby LGA boundary, hard up against Cumberland State Forest on the eastern side and the connecting bushland that runs through to Cherrybrook, Pennant Hills and the wider Berowra Valley system. Devlins Creek and the connecting gully drainages thread through the suburb. The bushland exposure on the reserve-edge streets is substantial and continuous. This is genuine Diamond Python country, and the callout profile reflects that.
The housing stock matters too. West Pennant Hills is dominated by large blocks with deep established gardens, mature canopy, sandstone retaining walls, terraced terrain and older tiled-roof homes from the 1960s through to the 1990s. Pool density is high. Mature plantings, sandstone outcrops and dense ground cover give snakes endless habitat once they're on a property. The bushland edge does the rest.
Snakes aren't appearing in West Pennant Hills because something is wrong with a property. They're appearing because the suburb sits on top of, and continuous with, one of the most productive reptile habitat networks in Sydney.
Diamond Python. The standout species in our West Pennant Hills work, and a major proportion of our work here. Non-venomous, but large, adults reach two to three metres and they're powerfully built. The bushland exposure, mature gardens and older tiled-roof homes sustain a resident Python population, and roof cavities are a major job category. Pythons follow rodents into the roof and settle in. We also find them stretched across warm retaining walls, curled behind shrubs, on sandstone steps, in pergolas, along gutters and on warm driveways. They rely on camouflage rather than speed and usually stay still when you find them. They don't chase, they don't behave aggressively. If you hear soft movement in the ceiling or see one anywhere on the property, call 1300 599 938.
Red-bellied Black Snake. Common along Devlins Creek and the connecting drainage corridors, in the wetter gullies between streets, and on properties with pools, ponds or thick damp garden beds. They follow frogs, so frog activity (particularly after rain and through the warmer months) tends to bring them through. Venomous, but generally far less defensive than Browns. They will move away if given the chance.
Golden-crowned Snake. Common in West Pennant Hills, although most residents never see one. Small, nocturnal, with a pale crown-like marking across the head and a pink belly. During the day they shelter under sandstone blocks, loose bark, timber sleepers, pot plants, garden edging and leaf litter. The sandstone country and deep established gardens of West Pennant Hills give them ideal habitat. Venomous, but the bite causes only local symptoms in most cases and is not regarded as dangerous to adults, still warrants professional handling.
Green Tree Snake. Common in West Pennant Hills, particularly in mature gardens, along fences, in pergolas and around roof lines. Slender, bright green or olive, fast-moving, completely harmless. They feed on skinks, geckos and small frogs and are excellent climbers, which is why they sometimes turn up at elevated parts of the property. Non-venomous, but a snake inside the house still warrants professional removal.
Eastern Brown Snake. Less common in West Pennant Hills than the species above, but present, particularly on the drier blocks and around properties with rodent activity, chicken coops or accumulated yard storage. Highly venomous. Step back, keep a visual from a safe distance, and call us on 1300 599 938.
Blue-tongued Lizard. Not a snake, but the reptile we are called for almost as often. Blue-tongues are large, slow-moving native skinks that get mistaken for snakes because of their size and the way they flatten their bodies when threatened. They are harmless, beneficial, and good for a garden, they eat snails, slugs and insects. Better to call and have us confirm than to assume.
The species mix in West Pennant Hills makes more sense once you know what each one is following. Diamond Pythons follow rats and mice, which is why they end up in roof cavities. Red-bellied Black Snakes follow frogs and moisture, which is why they concentrate along Devlins Creek and the wetter gully sections. Golden-crowned Snakes follow small lizards and skinks under leaf litter and sandstone. Green Tree Snakes follow skinks and geckos through gardens and along fence lines. Eastern Browns follow rodents through the drier parts of the suburb. Sightings increase after rain, through warm weather, and in early summer when reptiles are most active.
For Diamond Pythons: roof cavities are the standout, particularly on older homes with tiled roofs and small gaps under the eaves. Also on sandstone retaining walls, in pergolas and outdoor entertainment areas, along gutters, curled behind thick shrubs, on sunny driveways and along fence lines facing Cumberland State Forest or the connecting bushland.
For Red-bellied Black Snakes: pool pump housings, pool surrounds and water features, garden beds with thick mulch against boundary fences, under decks and verandahs in shaded damp corners, along fences backing onto Devlins Creek, gully drainages or the wetter sections of bushland.
For Golden-crowned Snakes: under sandstone blocks, around rockeries and leaf litter, beneath timber piles, paths and outdoor tiles, around damp sheltered corners of the garden.
For Green Tree Snakes: along fences, through pergolas, around roof lines, in mature shrubs and along garden edges.
For Eastern Browns: garages, sheds with accumulated yard storage, around hot water systems, along long boundary fences, around chicken coops and outdoor pet bowls.
Step back. Bring children and pets indoors. If possible, keep a visual on the snake from a safe distance. Don't try to move it, contain it, photograph it from up close or identify the species. Call 1300 599 938. We'll talk you through what to do until we arrive.
If you hear movement in the roof through the warmer months and you live in West Pennant Hills, a Diamond Python is one of the more likely explanations, particularly on streets backing onto Cumberland State Forest or any of the larger bushland reserves. Possums and rats are the other possibilities. We can tell the difference on site.
The deterrent products sold at hardware stores, powders, sprays, ultrasonic devices, do not work. Skip them.
For Diamond Pythons specifically, reducing rodent activity in the roof is the single most useful thing. Pythons follow rats. If a Python turns up in the ceiling, the rats got there first. Seal roof entry points where you can, keep the roof clear of stored items that draw rodents, and address roof rodent activity through proper rodent control.
For Red-bellied Black Snakes, keep pool pump housings clear and unappealing as shelter. Thin out heavy garden beds along boundary fences, particularly the side facing creek line or bushland. Manage frog activity where it has become concentrated against the house, without killing the frogs, they're protected.
For Eastern Browns, reducing rodent activity is the most effective measure. Tidy sheds and outdoor storage. Seal gaps under structures. Keep grass short along boundary fences.
How quickly can a snake catcher get to West Pennant Hills?
We're usually on site in West Pennant Hills within around thirty minutes, depending on traffic and access. Sydney Snake Catcher operates twenty-four hours a day across the suburb and the wider Hills Shire and Hornsby corridor. Call 1300 599 938.
What snakes are most common in West Pennant Hills?
Diamond Pythons are a major species in our West Pennant Hills work, particularly in roof cavities and on streets backing onto Cumberland State Forest and the connecting bushland. Red-bellied Black Snakes are a substantial proportion of the work too, concentrated along Devlins Creek and around pool pump housings. Golden-crowned Snakes are common in the sandstone country and deep gardens, though most residents never see one.
Should I try to remove the snake myself?
No. All native snakes in New South Wales are protected wildlife, and several species commonly encountered around West Pennant Hills are venomous. The vast majority of snakebite hospital admissions involve someone trying to catch, kill or move a snake themselves. Step back, keep a visual from a safe distance, and call 1300 599 938.
What should I do while I'm waiting for the snake catcher?
Step back, bring children and pets indoors, and keep a visual on the snake from a safe distance if you can. Don't try to contain it, photograph it from up close or identify the species. If it slips into cover, watch the spot where you last saw it. Snakes often reappear within minutes once the area goes quiet.
Are snakes protected in New South Wales?
Yes. All native snakes are protected under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016. They must be handled and relocated by licensed catchers. Sydney Snake Catcher operates under licence MWL103807.
Sydney Snake Catcher 1300 599 938. Licensed, insured, on call 24/7 across West Pennant Hills and the wider Hills Shire and Hornsby corridor.
