The tiger snake (Notechis scutatus) is venomous. Some individuals have conspicuous pale bands. Others are almost uniformly dark. If you see a snake near your home, give it space even if it looks different from the photograph below.
Can you identify a tiger snake by its stripes?
No. The Australian Museum records substantial variation in colour and banding. A glimpse of a striped back in grass, or a dark snake beside water, is too little to confirm the species. Leave the animal room to move. Do not get closer for a better look.
What should I tell a Sydney snake catcher?
Give the street address, the time and the last place you could see it. “Beside the drain on the car park side of the fence” is more useful than a guess at the species. If it has moved out of sight, keep people and pets away from that area and leave the ground cover undisturbed.
For a sighting, call Snakes in the City on 0411 103 488. For a suspected bite, call 000 immediately and keep the person still. See snake safety and first aid.
Help with snake identification in Sydney · Australian Museum species account