Harley from Snakes in the City has always believed that the best way to reduce fear of snakes is to replace guesswork with good information. At this local display day, children were able to see snakes and reptiles in a carefully supervised setting while Harley explained how these animals live, why they sometimes appear near homes and gardens, and the important role they play in the Australian environment. The result was an enjoyable community event that encouraged curiosity without turning snake safety into a frightening subject.
The children learned simple lessons they could remember: never try to touch or catch a wild snake, keep a safe distance, move pets and younger children away, and tell an adult immediately. Harley also explained that most snakes do not want a confrontation and should be left alone while a qualified snake catcher is contacted. By answering questions in clear, age-appropriate language, he helped the children understand that staying calm and making sensible choices are the most important parts of snake safety.
Harley also takes supervised snake and reptile displays into local childcare centres, giving teachers and children a structured educational experience in familiar surroundings. In addition, Snakes in the City provides practical toolbox talks for workers operating in possible snake habitat, including construction sites, landscaped areas, bushland edges and outdoor maintenance locations. These talks cover how to recognise likely snake habitat, reduce avoidable risks, respond safely to a sighting, keep an appropriate exclusion area and arrange professional snake removal rather than attempting to catch the animal. Harley’s qualifications, field experience and approachable presentation style help make the information useful, memorable and relevant to each audience.
Community and workplace education form an important part of the professional service offered by Snakes in the City. The team provides fast and responsive snake removal across the Greater Sydney area, with experienced catchers positioned throughout the region to assist homes, schools, childcare centres, worksites and businesses. Anyone who sees a snake should keep well back, watch it from a safe position where possible and contact Snakes in the City on 0411 103 488 for help from an experienced Sydney snake catcher. Businesses can also enquire about a tailored snake-safety toolbox talk for staff working in areas where snakes may be encountered.