Snake Removal Brisbane
QPWS-licensed snake catchers available same day. Eastern brown, red-bellied black, carpet python, and all Brisbane species. Do not approach the snake. Call immediately. From $220.
Common Snake Species Found in Brisbane
Brisbane has a higher diversity of snake species than most major Australian cities due to its proximity to bushland and subtropical climate. Most residential encounters involve one of the five species below. You do not need to identify the species; note colour and rough size and call us.
| Species | Venom | Appearance | Common locations | Behaviour when encountered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastern Brown Snake | Highly Venomous | Uniform brown, tan or grey-brown. Slender. 1-2m. May have banding when juvenile. | Everywhere in Brisbane. Gardens, garages, under buildings. Most common venomous snake found in houses. | Fast. Raises forebody when threatened. Strikes repeatedly. Do not corner. |
| Red-Bellied Black Snake | Venomous | Glossy black back, bright red-pink belly. 1-2m. Distinctive. | Creek corridors, garden areas near water, outer suburbs. Less common than brown in built-up areas. | Generally retreats rather than strikes. Will defend if cornered or stepped on. |
| Coastal Taipan | Highly Venomous | Light to dark brown, cream-yellow head, round snout. 1.5-2.5m. | Outer western Brisbane suburbs, rural fringe. Less common in inner suburbs. | Highly alert, fast, defensive. Will strike if approached. Do not enter the area. |
| Carpet Python | Non-Venomous | Patterned brown, cream, black. Heavy-bodied. Can reach 4m. Most patterned snake in Brisbane. | Roof voids, tree canopy, outbuildings, chicken coops. Common throughout Brisbane. | Generally docile. Can bite defensively if handled. Non-venomous but teeth cause lacerations. |
| Common Tree Snake | Non-Venomous | Slender, bright green, yellow, or blue. Very thin neck. Large eyes. 1-1.2m. | Gardens, trees, fences. Active by day. Common in Brisbane suburbs with mature gardens. | Fast-moving and flighty. Rarely defensive. Will attempt to escape rather than confront. |
Identifying Venomous Snakes: Useful Indicators Only
You should never attempt to get close enough to a snake to confirm these features. These indicators help from a safe distance when you are uncertain, but treat all unknown snakes as potentially venomous until a licensed catcher confirms otherwise.
Snake Bite First Aid: Call 000 First
Australian snake bite protocol uses pressure immobilisation bandaging. This is different from first aid used in other countries. Cutting, sucking, tourniquets, and washing the wound are all contraindicated in Australian snake bite management.
Call 000 immediately
Do this before anything else if another person is present. Keep the patient calm and as still as possible. Movement accelerates venom spread.
Apply firm bandage from bite site upward
Use a broad elastic bandage. Start at the bite site and wrap the entire limb from fingers/toes to as high as possible. Apply firmly (like a sprained ankle), not tight enough to cut circulation.
Immobilise the limb with a splint
Use any rigid material to splint the limb so the patient cannot bend the joint. Immobilisation of the limb significantly slows venom movement through the lymphatic system.
Keep patient completely still
Lay them down. Do not allow them to walk. Do not give food or drink. Keep them calm. Carry the patient to the vehicle if transport is needed; do not let them walk.
Get to hospital without delay
Do not wait for symptoms. By the time serious symptoms appear, significant venom may already be circulating. Antivenom is most effective given early. Venom residue on skin near the bite can help identify the species.
Do not remove the bandage
The bandage slows venom spread and should remain in place until the patient is in hospital and antivenom is ready to administer. Removing it prematurely allows rapid venom spread.
How to Respond to Three Common Snake Situations
The correct response varies by situation. In all cases, the first step is the same: move clear and call a licensed catcher.
Snake in the house
Leave the room and close doors between you and the snake. Do not try to trap it under a box or towel. Note which room it was last seen in. Call 0406 178 471. If you can safely see it from a distance without approaching, watch to note where it goes. If it enters a room with a closed door and cannot exit, it is likely still in that room when the catcher arrives.
Snake in the yard
Keep people and pets well clear. Do not mow around it or approach it to see where it goes. Most snakes seen in yards are passing through and will leave on their own within hours if left undisturbed. Call 0406 178 471 if it is near a frequently used area (doorway, pool, play area), if it appears to be sheltering under a structure, or if you cannot allow it to leave on its own.
Pet encounters a snake
Remove the pet from the area calmly without causing the snake to strike. If the pet was bitten or you suspect a bite: take the pet to a vet immediately. Snake bite in pets requires antivenom just as it does in people. Signs of envenomation in dogs and cats: sudden weakness, wobbliness, dilated pupils, collapse, bleeding from the nose or mouth. Do not wait to see if the animal recovers. Call the vet and go immediately.
Reducing Snake Encounters in Your Brisbane Yard
No method reliably excludes all snakes. In bush-adjacent Brisbane suburbs, some snake incursions are unavoidable. The goal is to reduce the conditions that make your yard attractive to snakes and minimise surprise encounters.
Snake Removal Cost Brisbane
All prices include licensed catcher attendance, catch, identification, and release at an appropriate natural habitat location away from the property.
Snake Removal FAQ
Licensed Snake Catcher. Same-Day Emergency. All Species. Brisbane-Wide.
Eastern Brown · Red-Bellied Black · Carpet Python · from $220