WHAT TO DO IF YOU ENCOUNTER A SNAKE
• DON’T PANIC!! Contrary to popular belief Australian snakes are timid and in the
majority of cases will be quick to flee to nearby cover in the even of a human
encounter. On occasion they will lay still in hope you will go away. A snake will not
make a deliberate motion towards you unless provoked or unless it believes you are
an immediate threat. Due to the large size of humans compared to snakes,
sometimes our presence alone when in close proximity to a snake can cause it to
feel threatened and bring about defensive behaviour.
• Keep a close eye on the snake from a safe distance. If you feel you may want the
snake identified or relocated, call out to someone to grab your digital camera or
mobile phone. Fast moving species such as Common Tree Snakes or Eastern
Brown Snakes usually head for cover if you leave the area making it difficult for
snake catchers to locate the snake when they arrive. If safe to do so take a photo of
the snake for identification purposes.
• Keep people and pets well away from the snake and NEVER try to catch or kill a
snake. Snakes are protected in Australia and it is ILLEGAL to touch a snake without
the necessary permit. Do not interact with the snake as this may provoke defensive
behaviour from it. 95% OF SNAKE BITES OCCUR WHEN PEOPLE TRY TO
CATCH OR KILL SNAKES. Don’t knowingly place yourself or those around you into
the highest risk category. No snake when left alone is dangerous. Contact a
professional to solve the problem for you if you feel relocation is required.
• If the snake is inside your residence or workplace it is imperative you keep a
constant watch until the snake catcher arrives. Snakes are exceptional at escaping
an area unnoticed and every minute you aren’t watching the snake reduces the
chance of it being found again. If you cannot manage this then jam a towel under
the closed door to help to keep the snake contained. Remember that snakes can
hide in inaccessible places even in a single room and capture cannot be
guaranteed if you don’t know where the snake is.
• Snakes encountered outside are usually brief visitors that will leave your premises if
left alone. With just a little patience from yourself you will find the snake will depart
of its own accord. Remember that your snake has probably lived its entire life in
suburban backyards without incident so why should this change just because you
have seen it.
• It makes sense to have our number saved and ready in case of a surprise snake
encounter. Trying to find the number while endeavouring to keep an eye on a snake
is time consuming and delays our response to your situation.