Frequently Asked Questions

See common snake and reptile FAQs below

Sunshine Coast Snake Experts

FAQs

Snakes and other reptiles may enter your home or yard from time to time, and seeing a snake unexpectedly can cause a fright. If you encounter a snake in your home or yard, don’t panic. Snakes are shy creatures that will often run if given the chance. Most snakes are just passing through so if you encounter a snake, stand still or slowly step away to a safe distance (3 – 4 metres).

If the snake is located in or around your home, keep your eyes on it at all times and call your local snake catcher, Snake Rescue Sunny Coast. Take a photo if it is safe to do so as being able to identify the snake makes our job easier if we know what species of snake we are dealing with.

Snakes’ natural habitats and human habitats often overlap. If you’ve found a snake in your home or garden, chances are that it was searching for food or shelter.

Snakes will look for small, warm, or secluded areas to rest in, which is why many Sunshine Coast residents find them in their roofs or ceilings. Snakes often enter houses and yards looking for food, shelter and water. Houses are really good at providing all three to both the snakes and their prey. Snakes eat rodents, birds and lizards, and are attracted to the gardens, sheds and roof cavities that their prey is sheltering in.

Snakes will also commonly enter chicken pens and aviaries to eat the rodents feeding on the discarded seeds. In this way, they can make excellent pest controllers!

Snakes often enter houses through open doors or small gaps under the doors. They also frequently get inside through the small gaps on the side of garage doors.

Another way they can get inside is through weep holes in brick and cement houses. They can use the weeping holes to enter the wall cavity and then enter the house through any holes on the inner wall like the holes made for piping, such as the holes made for the dishwasher pipes.

All snakes have the potential to bite, but will usually only do so as a last resort when they feel threatened or are being harassed. Very few snake species are overtly aggressive, and most species choose to flee instead of face would-be threats.

90 – 95% of snake bites occur when someone is either trying to capture or kill the snake. The other 5 – 10% of bites are usually from unintended interaction with a snake. For example, accidentally stepping on one whilst on a bush walk or mistakenly grabbing one whilst weeding the garden.

Snake bites usually occur on the arms and legs. This is because unintentional contact with a snake is most likely to take place with your arms or legs, such as when you are out hiking or when working in your garden or shed. 

Acquiring basic snake bite first aid knowledge is incredibly useful when living in areas that are prone to snake residency. Follow our tips to be prepared for potential snake bites that can happen and remember to always call 000 in the event of a bite!

Snakes are venomous, not poisonous. It can be confusing, but a quick way to understand the difference is by remembering this: If it bites me and I die, it’s venomous. If I bite it and I die, it’s poisonous.

No, not all snakes are venomous. Of all snake species found in Queensland, about 65% of them are venomous.

Two specific groups of snakes produce venom: front-fanged snakes (Elapids) and some rear-fanged snakes (Colubrids). The Elapids group contains some of the most notoriously venomous snakes in Australia, such as the Taipan, Eastern Brown Snake, and the Tiger Snake.

Yes, as soon as a snake is born it has functioning venom glands and the venom is just as potent and life threatening as their adult counterparts.

It is not always possible to tell if a snake is venomous from the way it looks, unless you are familiar with the species – like the notorious red-bellied black snake and the eastern brown snake, both of which are well-known to be venomous.

If you encounter a snake, always treat it as potentially venomous and dangerous. This is the safest approach. Contact the Snake Rescue Sunny Coast team to safely identify, capture and relocate the snake elsewhere.

No, it is impossible for two different species of snakes to interbreed.

Any venomous snake or large python can be fatal to both cats and dogs. It’s best to keep your animals at a safe distance if a snake is seen on your property, and call

Dogs and cats attacking snakes is common, even if the snake exhibits aggressive behaviour to defend itself. Unfortunately not all pet snake bites can be easily prevented, but they can be treated and your pet can make a full recovery if the bite is attended to quickly.

If you suspect your cat or dog has been bitten by a snake, remain calm and keep your pet as calm and still as possible. Depending on where the bite is, keeping your pet calm and still can slow down the spread of venom in their system. Take your pet to your nearest vet as soon as possible for treatment. 

If a bite is not visible, some common symptoms of a snake bite in dogs and cats include: vomiting, discoloured gums, drooling and excessive panting, trembling and weakness, and extreme lethargy. The symptoms present can vary depending on the severity of the venom. 

Snake bites can happen even if you are careful and in a location where snake sightings are not common. Due to their colouring, it can be difficult to spot a snake immediately, making accidental bites common.
If you or a child has been bitten by a snake, it is very important to remain calm or to keep your child calm, lay them down and keep them still. An elevated heart rate and movement can increase how quickly venom spreads. 
 
DO NOT wash the bite area and, if possible, keep the affected limb or bite location lower than the heart level to further slow the venom’s course. Bandage the bite site with a compression bandage, wrapping the entire limb. Mark the bite location on the outside of the bandage.  keep close tabs on breathing and heart rate. Acquiring basic snake bite first aid knowledge is extremely useful for Sunshine Coast residents. 
Call 000 as soon as possible. If the snake is still in your home, you can contact Snake Rescue Sunny Coast to safely locate, capture, and remove the snake

To identify a snake based on its colour alone can be extremely inconsistent as all species of snakes can vary greatly in appearance, even within the same species. To get an accurate identification, you need to look at the physical characteristics of the snake, the types of scales it has, the size of those scales, and the number of those scales.

With a decade of experience in catching and identifying snakes, our team can provide accurate identification services. 

Snakes are not territorial animals. They do have a “home range” in which they tend to stay, but do not actively patrol or defend this area. They will only stay within this “home range” if the habitat is suitable to live in and provides all necessary elements like shelter, water and a good source of food.

No. Snakeskin is actually very silky and smooth to the touch. Each scale is made of a protein called keratin. Human fingernails are also made up of the same protein and have the same texture as snake scales.

No, Australian snakes do not hibernate as the climate is not cold enough. However, some snake species do Brumate.

Brumation is a type of dormancy found in reptiles that is quite similar to hibernation. Triggered by the lack of heat and decreased hours of sunlight in winter, Brumation differs from hibernation in its metabolic process.

Snakes that Brumate can go months without eating, only waking up to drink water.

Never attempt to handle or engage with an injured snake as they can become extremely defensive and unpredictable depending on the level of injury. Call your local snake catcher Snake Rescue Sunny Coast and they will come and collect the snake.

All sick or injured snakes are taken to a licensed veterinarian, the team at the Australia Zoo, or a wildlife hospital where they are medically assessed and treated.

Sunshine Coast Snake Catchers

Call-Out, Capture & Release

Emergency Callouts

At Snake Rescue Sunny Coast, we provide 24/7 emergency call outs for snake removals and make every effort to arrive as soon as possible.

Roof, Yard & House Inspections

We provide property inspections for evidence of snake activity & advise on snake prevention methods for your peace of mind.

8+ Years Experience

We have been catching snakes on the Sunshine Coast and safely relocating them for nearly a decade. You can trust our experience.

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Snake Rescue Sunshine Coast

Stay Safe While Outdoors

Whether you’re out in the bush on your next adventure or plotting around in the garden, it’s important to be prepared for worst-case scenarios.

Australia is home to some of the most venomous snakes in the world, so it’s a good idea to have your snake bite first aid kit or pressure bandages on you or nearby. Having the Emergency Plus app downloaded on your phone can help emergency services find your exact location if you need them.

Watch & Monitor

Keep a safe distance, watch and monitor the snake until professional help arrives. Keep children and pets well away.

Call Immediately

If a snake is in your home, contact us immediately. We will get there as soon as possible to safely capture & relocate the snake.

Keep Away

The Sunshine Coast is home to some of Australia's most venomous snakes, including the eastern brown and red belly black snakes.

Snake Bites

If a snake has bitten you or a loved one, dial 000 immediately. Apply first aid until medical help arrives.

Contact The Snake Rescue Team

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