There are numerous species of snakes across Australia. The species you are likely to see will depend on where you live. In this article, we look at what species of snakes live in Sydney and provide details about their potential danger to you.
Are There Snakes in Sydney Australia?
There are several snakes in Sydney. Coming across them in urban areas, recreational areas, or on the outskirts is not uncommon. But there is a wide mixture of species, with many of them not particularly dangerous to humans.
Most snakes are not going to want to interact with you. They just want to live their life. Many species will run away or hide when you are near. Others will bite when they are frightened and feel cornered.
Most of the time, this is not a problem. But when there is a venomous species, there is a large risk. Though those that seek medical help after a bite can recover most of the time.
Venomous Snakes in Sydney Australia
Here are the most common venomous species that you will find in Sydney.
Red-Bellied Black Snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus)
The red-bellied black snake is a venomous snake that will grow to about 150 cm. The venom from the snake is relatively milder than others that are on the list, but that doesn’t mean the snake shouldn’t be left alone. They tend to be found in creeks and rivers, but they can wander into urban areas, especially if there are ponds or lakes.
Their main prey is frogs, small mammals, and other reptiles.
Eastern Brown Snake (Pseudonaja textiles)
This is a slender snake that is highly venomous and very defensive when cornered or when it feels threatened. These brown snakes Sydney households encounter are also very long, growing beyond 200 cm. They are normally a pale brown or grey colour. Younger Eastern Brown snakes can be confused with tiger snakes.
Snakes are often found in grass or woodlands. But they are also well-known to inhabit human areas with backyards, sheds, and houses. Normally they live close to humans for food, which includes rodents, birds, reptiles, and frogs.
Eastern Tiger Snake (Notechis scutatus)
The Tiger snake is a highly venomous snake that can grow to about 120 cm. It comes in a variety of colours including brown, olive grey, and jet black. Around Sydney, they are typically a light grey or bluish colour. It normally has bands that provide that tiger pattern.
The Tiger lives in a wide range of habitats, including near human habitation. The Eastern Tiger snake tends to feed on frogs, but it will also take small mammals and reptiles if the opportunity presents itself.
Death Adder (Acanthophis antarcticus)
The adder is known for being highly venomous but also a snake that can hide in the ground. Its camouflage makes it almost impossible to see when it is lying waiting for a prey item to come past. It has the largest fangs of any Sydney snake.
The death adder grows, on average, to about 60 cm. However, some individuals can grow to 100 cm. They live in a range of habitats, often in leaf litter, which hides them very well. When a prey item passes, they will strike at it. Death adders are very dangerous and should be respected at all times.
Brown Tree Snake (Dendrelaphis punctulatus)
The widely distributed brown tree snake can be found along the coast of Sydney. They grow up to 200 cm in length. These nocturnal snakes are rear-fanged, making them less of a risk to humans than other snakes that are on the list. Healthy adults who are bitten are normally fine, although children can be at risk. Typically these snakes eat birds, rodents, rats, and bats.
Golden Crown Snake (Cacophis squamulosus)
This is a small, nocturnal snake that is found across New South Wales and in Sydney in particular. They are often not considered dangerous to humans. Most of the time, humans will find these snakes after a pet cat has brought one inside.
Their main habitat is sandstone and deep forest. They will primarily feed on lizards, frogs, and blind snakes. While they are believed to be venomous, they tend not to pose a risk to humans.
Non-venomous Snakes in Sydney Australia
Green Tree Snake (Dendrelaphis punctulatus)
Also known as the common tree snake, the slender species has large eyes and can be found all along the east coast of Australia and Papua New Guinea. This green tree snake Sydney is a home of is harmless, often being found in woodland and urban areas. While this snake does have some venom, the fangs are at the back of the jaw, so it is hard for them to inject the venom into a human. These snakes are active during the day. They tend to eat frogs, water skinks, and other small reptiles.
Carpet Pythons (Morelia spilota)
Also known as the Diamond python. The carpet python is a non-venomous species that has become a popular species in the pet trade across the world. They can reach lengths of 400 cm. Males tend to be smaller than females.
They are often found in forests and rocky lowlands. They will prey on rodents and lizards. They will tend not to bite humans unless they are provoked.
How to Keep Sydney Snakes Away from your Home
Many people worry about snakes being close to their homes. For many species, this is a justified worry. A bite from some species can lead to hospital treatment, and some people don’t recover. When it comes to keeping them away, the best option is to use a non-lethal option.The Envirobug option is perfect because it releases vibrations into the ground that mimic predators. Snakes don’t like to be around predators, so they avoid the area associated with the vibrations. Which will be, your garden.
