Northern Rivers snake catchers: Advice from Sarah Mailey, I'll Catch It Snake Relocations and Marion Nel, Safe Snake Services and Relocation

When a snake catcher was called out late at night, little did she expect to encounter mating pythons as she grabbed five snakes in her hand while commando crawling through a roof.

Snakes are keeping northern NSW residents on their toes as the slithering serpents search for mates and bathe in the spring sunshine.

Burringbar snake catcher Sarah Mailey grabbed a handful of snakes from a roof in the Tweed area recently.

“About 10pm I got a call from a worried Bilambil Heights lady who could hearing banging above her bedroom roof,” Ms Mailey said.

After climbing into the roof she spotted a bunch of snakes in the corner.

“I could see common tree snakes and pythons but wasn’t sure just how many and I knew they were going to shoot off in different directions so I had to be fast.

Sarah Mailey (right) and Aidan John from I'll Catch It Snake Relocations in the Tweed with a python and a 2.4m Collets snake (the nineteenth most venomous snake in the world).

“I commando crawled and just sort of dived and caught five in the one hand,” she said.

“On my way out of the roof, I spotted a mating pair of pythons in another corner so there were seven snakes in the one roof.”

Sarah Mailey from I'll Catch it Snake Relocations on the Tweed with a feisty python and his friend.

The Tweed snake catcher has seen snakes in toilets, falling through roofs, to a snake in a crane 30m up in the air.

Snakes have also appeared in cars, inside steps, inside shops and kids indoor playgrounds.

She said pythons, tree snakes, whip snakes, keelbacks, red-bellied black snakes and eastern brown snakes were all moving around.

A well-kept yard will stop any surprises, Ms Mailey said.

“If you are going to do some gardening then wear closed in shoes and long pants and gloves,” she said. “Know snake bite first aid and own a compression bandage.”

Aidan John from I'll Catch It Snake Relocations in the Tweed.

She said to have a snake catchers number saved in your phone and should you see a snake, keep an eye on it until the snake catcher arrives.

“If you are outside and you come across a snake, stand still and let it move on,” she said. “If the snake is enjoying the sun and doesn’t seem like it’s going to move on then back away slowly and you move away.”

If a pet comes into contact with a snake take it to the vet immediately even if the animal appears OK – as snake bite symptoms can take up to 24 hours to come into effect.

“No snake is out to attack us, they are just as scared of us, as we are of them,” Ms Mailey said.

Aidan John from I'll Catch It Snake Relocations in the Tweed.

Safe Snake Services and Relocation head snake catcher Marion Nel with a python in the Lismore Shire.

Lismore-based snake catcher Marion Nel said eastern brown snakes were one of the most common species found in the northern rivers, but rarely use their venom on people.

“They could if they wanted to but they simply don’t,” Ms Nel said.

Around Lismore the snake catcher was seeing similar species to the Tweed.

“We also see some eastern small eyed snakes, yellow-faced whip snakes, marsh snakes and dwarf crowned snakes,” she said.

If you encounter a snake for the first time Ms Nel advises giving the snake a couple of days to leave on its own and freeze and slowly back away if you come face-to-face one.

“Keep small pets supervised,” Ms Nel said.

Eastern brown at Wilson Park School in Lismore. Picture: Ruby Nel

In every day-to-day encounters it’s important to remove the “fright-factor”, Ms Nel said.

She said snakes would only attack if cornered or provoked – much like any wild animal.

“Another important point is to listen to your cats, dogs, other animals and the birds. They always tell you if there’s a snake around. Go look if you hear anything different from them.”

Ms Nel said venomous snakes like being under shrubs, hedges, trees, water tanks, taps, outdoor furniture, pots, near laundry rooms, drains, metal, corrugated sheeting or tarps, and weed mats.

Safe Snake Catchers Marion Nel picks up a python hiding in Goonellabah and another python in a car exhaust at a local car dealership.

She said to avoid being bitten simply look before you garden and turn outside lights on or use a torch at night.

“If the snake sees you in time it will go away. You can use a rake or similar tool for a quick inspection and disturbance of the environment and they’ll run away.”

She said brown snakes love rock walls and concrete cavities.

“Many injured snakes are coming in at the moment, most commonly victims of cars running over them, dog attacks and slashers.

“It’s important for injured snakes to be reported to wires or Northern Rivers Wildlife Carers (NRWC) or a snake catcher,” Ms Nel said.

If you have a snake on your property or suspect one, call your local snake catcher.