Snake Catcher North Shore

Bush corridors behind familiar streets

The Lane Cove valley links forest, sandstone outcrops and waterways through developed suburbs. Closer to the tidal river, mangroves and flats add another habitat type. Lane Cove Council’s bushwalking guide describes the range of local vegetation and landforms.

This helps explain why a report from a leafy side path or retaining wall should be taken seriously even if it is well away from a park entrance. It does not establish that every garden contains a snake. For the catcher, the relevant detail is where the animal went: a roof edge, a gap under the deck or a strip of dense planting.

Snakes to be aware of

North Shore bushland and sheltered creek environments can support these Sydney species. Their habits differ, so tell us what you saw rather than deciding that any large snake must be a python.

• Diamond python — a non-venomous climber found in Sydney bushland; it may also use trees and roof spaces.
• Golden-crowned snake — a small venomous snake associated with sheltered, moist forest habitat.
• Red-bellied black snake — a venomous snake often associated with creeks, dams and other damp habitat.

Colour alone is not a reliable identification. A photograph taken from an already safe position may help; do not move closer to obtain one.

A snake above ground still needs room

A snake may be seen on a branch, climbing structure or roof line. Keep away from the area beneath it and do not shake the branch, spray it with a hose or climb a ladder for a photograph. Tell us the approximate height from where you are already standing safely.

At street level, avoid pulling apart a woodpile or reaching into a wall gap once a snake has disappeared. Secure pets in another part of the home where possible. A precise last sighting is more useful than a disturbed hiding place.

Which part of the North Shore?

The Lower North Shore guide covers the more built-up southern area. For suburbs further north, use Upper North Shore and Ku-ring-gai. Local information is also available for Chatswood, Lane Cove and Pymble. For the bushland edges around Browns Field and the upper North Shore, see our Wahroonga snake catcher guide.

When booking, give the actual suburb and access requirements. Narrow side paths, steep stairs and shared driveways can affect an attendance. We check catcher availability before arranging an attendance.

Medical and veterinary help

Suspected bite to a person: call Triple Zero (000) immediately. Keep the person still and follow the ambulance operator’s instructions. Do not wait for a catcher or try to catch the snake for identification.

Royal North Shore Hospital is at Reserve Road, St Leonards. In an emergency, follow the ambulance operator’s directions about care and transport.

Possible bite to a pet: contact a vet immediately, even if you cannot see a bite mark. North Shore Veterinary Hospital, 63 Herbert Street, Artarmon. Emergency care 24/7: (02) 9436 1213.

These services are independent of Snakes in the City. Contact details checked September 2026.

Questions from North Shore homes

Can you remove a snake from a roof?

Explain exactly where it is visible and how the area is accessed. Safe access and the animal’s location determine what is possible. Do not enter the roof space yourself to keep track of it.

Will you find it if it has gone into the reserve?

That cannot be promised. Keep to your property and describe where it crossed the boundary. A call-out is not a guarantee of capture or a declaration that neighbouring bush is free of snakes.

Make the daily paths easier to see

Once the immediate concern is resolved, concentrate on the routes you and your pets use: clear visibility beside steps, less loose storage against the house and secure pet food. Leave natural habitat in public reserves alone. For more about the people doing the work, see our catcher’s background and experience.