Fearless Snake Hunter Mark Pelley keeps the suburbs safe

MARK “The Snake Hunter” Pelley is the fearless go-to man for wrangling slithering serpents in Melbourne’s north. But there was one encounter that was a little bit too close for comfort.

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SNAKE Hunter is his name and snake hunting is his game.

Mark Pelley has been the go-to man for wrangling slithering serpents across Melbourne’s northern suburbs for the past six years.

Recently, Mr Pelley made the news after plucking two whip snakes from the corridors of Epping’s Northern Hospital.

And he made national headlines on Christmas night last year when he captured a baby crocodile in a Heidelberg street.

Fearless snake hunter Mark Pelley is keeping people and pets safe by going where others don't dare. Picture: Stuart Milligan

Pelley, who is a single father of five daughters, ditched his old job for a better work/life balance.

“I wanted to make my passion my profession and catching snakes meant I had more time for my children,” Pelley said.

Despite the obvious risks involved in his chosen profession, Pelley said he had no fear.

“I’ve never been bitten yet, but I’ve had a couple of close calls including when I almost got bitten on the nose by a large tiger snake,” he said.

“If he had got me there would’ve been no chance of recovery.”

His new partner on the job is eight-month-old border collie, Star, who is about to go through a snake avoidance course.

“Star comes on jobs and helps keep the homeowners calm while I catch the snake,” Pelley said.

The Snake Hunter started offering training courses for dogs late last year.

“During summer about four or five people call me every week to say a snake bit their dog,” Pelley said.

“I decided to offer the course as it could help save dog lives in the future.”

When Pelley isn’t out keeping the streets safe he is home with his 53 pet snakes.

“I’m quite attached to them but they’re not attached to me, they’re cold-blooded and cold-hearted,” he said.

@paulshapiro1117