A Willoughby resident recently discovered an unexpected visitor making itself comfortable on the property: a large blue-tongue lizard that appeared to have arrived without a booking and with no intention of paying rent. Unsure whether it was dangerous or how it should be handled, the resident contacted Harley from Snakes in the City. Harley provided a quick response, calmly assessed the situation and safely removed the reptile without injury to the animal, the residents or the garden furniture.
Blue-tongue lizards are native Australian reptiles and are not venomous. When frightened, they may open their mouth, flatten their body, hiss and display their distinctive blue tongue. This impressive performance is mainly a warning intended to make a predator think twice. Although blue-tongues are generally slow-moving and reluctant to attack, a large animal can deliver a painful bite if it is grabbed or cornered, so residents should avoid trying to pick one up with bare hands.
In many circumstances, a blue-tongue is actually a useful garden resident. These lizards feed on insects, snails and slugs, helping to control some common garden pests. Property owners can help protect them by keeping dogs and cats away, checking beneath parked vehicles before driving, avoiding harmful snail baits and leaving safe shelter such as logs, rocks or dense groundcover. Where a lizard is trapped indoors, injured, threatened by pets or in an unsafe location, professional reptile removal is the sensible option.
This Willoughby reptile removal is another example of the experienced, humane and affordable service provided by Snakes in the City across Sydney. Harley is a professional snake catcher and reptile relocation specialist who responds quickly, identifies the animal, explains the risk clearly and chooses the safest practical solution. For prompt help with a snake, blue-tongue lizard or other reptile at your home, garden, business or strata property, contact Snakes in the City on 0412 103 455. It is always better to call Harley than to discover your new garden guest has moved into the laundry.