Much of the North Shore backs straight onto bush. Ku-ring-gai Chase, Lane Cove and Berowra Valley national parks, plus countless smaller reserves and gullies, put snake habitat at the bottom of many backyards.
Catcher availability in North Shore & Ku-ring-gai depends on who is free at the time. Call and we will check straight away.
Call us and we will check which local catcher is available.
Snakes and North Shore bushland
The North Shore sits on Sydney’s sandstone country, with ridgetop suburbs dropping into steep, bushy gullies and creeks. According to the Australian Museum, the small, secretive golden-crowned snake is more common in northern Sydney’s sandstone areas, and it’s sometimes seen in suburbs on warm nights. It’s mildly venomous and rarely bites, but like any snake it should be left alone.
Diamond pythons live in bushland and national parks around Sydney and are occasionally found in roof spaces. Along creek lines and damp gullies, red-bellied black snakes are the species people most often notice.
Where North Shore residents find snakes
- garden beds, ferns and leaf litter along bush-edge fences
- under decks and timber stairs built into slopes
- roof spaces in older homes near reserves
- swimming pools and ponds, which draw frogs in summer
- inside, when a cat brings in a small snake at night
Tips for bush-edge homes
- Keep a clear, well-lit path between the house and any bush gate.
- Seal gaps around subfloor vents and under-deck storage.
- Keep cats indoors at night: it protects them, and local wildlife.
- Wear enclosed shoes when walking down to the back fence after dark.
Suburbs we take enquiries from
Including Hornsby, Asquith, Mount Colah, Berowra, Wahroonga, Turramurra, Pymble, Gordon, Killara, Lindfield, Roseville, St Ives, North Turramurra, West Pymble, Chatswood, Willoughby, Castle Cove, Lane Cove, Artarmon and North Sydney. Not listed? Just tell us your suburb.
Questions from the North Shore
My cat brought a small snake inside. What should I do?
Get the cat and any other pets out of the room, close the door and call us. Watch for signs your cat has been bitten, such as weakness, vomiting, dilated pupils or collapse, and get it to a vet straight away if you’re worried.
There’s a python in the roof. Is it dangerous?
Pythons aren’t venomous, but they can give a painful bite, so leave it alone. A catcher can remove it. If you’re also hearing rats or possums up there, that may be what attracted it.