Whether you’re new to the Northern Illawarra, or just need a refresher on our local snakes, here is a definitive guide to what you might see in your backyard. There are different types of snakes in the suburbs above the escarpment (i.e. Helensburgh, Darkes Forest, Otford and Stanwell Tops) to below (i.e. Stanwell Park, Coalcliff, Clifton, Scarborough, Wombarra, Coledale, Austinmer and Thirroul). There are a lot more types of snakes above the escarpment – sorry Helensburgh!
Keep this guide handy as a reference. Neighbourhood Facebook groups are notoriously unreliable for snake identification. Spoiler alert: it’s almost certainly not a Death Adder.
Snakes have been loosely ranked from most-common to least common for our area:
> Golden-crowned Snake
> Red-bellied Black Snake
> Diamond Python
> Marsh Snake
> Blackish Blind Snake
> Small-eyed Snake
> Eastern Brown Snake
> Yellow-faced Whip Snake
> Green Tree Snake
> Mainland Tiger Snake
> Death Adder
Other snakes: There are a couple of other species in the bushland of the water catchments and national parks above the escarpment, such as the bandy bandy, red-naped snake, mustard bellied snake and broad-headed snake but the likelihood of them coming into yards is slim to non-existent.
This guide has been compiled with the assistance of the Illawarra Snake Catcher (phone 0418 162 441), a professional service you can call on to help relocate any snakes that are causing concern. Visit www.illawarrasnakecatcher.com.au
If your snake is injured, you could also call WIRES on 1300 094 737. They will generally not relocate a healthy snake, for that you’ll need the snake catcher. Most Fire and Rescue crews don’t relocate snakes any more.
Download a free copy of Your Guide to Snake Season.