A warehouse yard is built for work: deliveries, vehicles and people moving between buildings. A large red-bellied black snake on the hardstand was an unexpected addition at this Seven Hills property—and a good reason to call someone experienced.
The warehouse contacted Snakes in the City. One of our experienced catchers attended, removed the snake and arranged its humane relocation. The photograph from the call-out offers an unusually clear view of the feature behind the snake’s common name: that striking red underside.
The red belly behind the name
In the photograph, the snake’s underside forms a long band of reddish scales. It is a memorable view of an animal many people would otherwise see only from above.
The Australian Museum’s species guide describes a glossy black upper body, with crimson colouring along the lower sides that can fade to red, orange or pink across the belly. The species is venomous. Colour is something to appreciate in a photograph, not a reason to approach a snake or try to turn it over.
Our red-bellied black snake guide has more information about this native species and how to respond to a sighting.
Professional handling, with protective equipment
The catcher is pictured wearing long blue protective sleeves and gloves, long trousers and boots. Snakes in the City requires its professional catchers to use suitable protective equipment for dangerous-snake work. That equipment supports experienced handling; it does not remove the risk or make this a task for an untrained person.
Once removed from the warehouse yard, the snake was humanely relocated. The aim of a call-out like this is to resolve the immediate encounter while treating the animal responsibly.
A hardstand is still part of a snake’s surroundings
A sighting does not have to be inside a building to warrant attention. This snake was found outside, on the warehouse yard’s hardstand. At an active workplace, the important question is how to keep people and normal site movements clear of it while help is arranged.
For Seven Hills businesses, a simple response plan can make the next step clearer: who alerts staff, who contacts the catcher, and which entrance provides safe access to the sighting area. Our commercial and strata snake-removal service covers workplace situations such as warehouse yards and shared premises.
If a snake appears in your warehouse yard
- Keep people away. Alert the site supervisor and pause nearby activity where it is safe to do so.
- Leave the snake alone. Do not corner it, handle it or try to move it with workplace equipment.
- Observe only from a safe position. Note its last location without approaching or following it into cover.
- Call with useful access details. Give the address, entrance and any site hazards so the attending catcher can plan access.
See our snake safety guidance for practical precautions. If a snakebite is suspected, call 000 immediately and follow the ambulance operator’s instructions. Healthdirect’s snakebite advice explains why every suspected bite needs urgent medical attention.
Snake removal in Seven Hills
This call-out ended with professional removal and humane relocation after the warehouse contacted Snakes in the City. If you find a snake at a local home or workplace, our Seven Hills snake-removal page explains the local service and what to tell us when you call.
Call-outs are coordinated according to catcher availability and location. Confirm the call-out fee and estimated arrival when you speak with our team.
Call Snakes in the City: 0411 103 488
Another workplace call-out: read how a red-bellied black snake was removed from a Silverwater warehouse.