About Urban Reptile Removal
Fully Accredited and Insured
With over 35 years of experience handling venomous snakes, we specialise in the prompt and safe removal of snakes from homes, businesses, and outdoor areas.
Chris has over three decades of experience in the reptile industry. His career began in 1990 as a reptile handling instructor for WIRES, a wildlife rescue and conservation organisation. He trained others in the safe handling and relocation of reptiles.
In 1991, Chris joined the reptile department at Taronga Zoo, where he worked with species like cobras and rattlesnakes. During this time, he contributed to the zoo’s conservation efforts for endangered species.
Chris also worked at The Australian Reptile Park and Reptiles Alive!, delivering public education programs focused on reptile awareness and conservation.
Chris has served as President of the Australian Herpetological Society for the past ten years. He has written numerous articles in both Australian and international journals and has authored four books, including The Reptiles of Australia, New Guinea, and New Zealand, which won the Whitley Award for wildlife photography. His next book, Urban Reptiles, will be released by New Holland Publishers in February 2024.
Chris founded Snake Ranch, Australia’s largest reptile breeding facility, which housed over 3,500 reptiles and employed a team of four staff.
Our Services
Urban Reptile Removal offers professional and efficient snake removal services for homes and businesses. We also provide advice on snake-proofing properties to minimise the risk of future encounters.
Quick tips if there’s a snake in your yard:
If you discover a snake in your yard, it's essential to handle the situation calmly and responsibly:
Stay Calm: Remember that snakes are generally more afraid of humans than we are of them. Staying calm and composed is crucial.
Ensure Safety: Keep children and pets at a safe distance from the snake. This not only protects your loved ones but also reduces the snake's sense of threat.
Contact Professionals: Call Urban Reptile Removal. We specialise in snake removal and catching services in the Ryde and surrounding districts.
Observe from a Distance: While waiting for assistance, keep an eye on the snake from a safe distance. This helps in locating the snake when the experts arrive.
Please note that call-out fees apply.
In case of a snakebite:
Do Not Wash the Bite Site: Avoid washing the area, as it can hinder venom detection. The hospital needs the venom for proper treatment.
First Aid: Comfort and reassure the person who is bitten. Apply a pressure bandage using a heavy Crepe bandage, starting from the limb's ends and continuing to the shoulder/hip. Mark the bite location on top of the bandage for medical reference.
Call for Help: Dial 000 or 112 on mobiles immediately.
The northern suburbs of Sydney are home to diverse wildlife. Remember that native wildlife, like snakes, is protected by law. Interfering with them can result in fines and even imprisonment. Most snake bites in Australia occur when individuals attempt to catch or kill the snake. It's safer to rely on professional snake catchers for handling such situations.
Chris Williams – Founder & Lead Herpetologist, Urban Reptile Removal
Chris Williams is the founder and principal herpetologist at Urban Reptile Removal Pty Ltd, one of Sydney’s most trusted professional snake-catching and reptile relocation services. With over 40 years of hands-on experience working with Australian reptiles, Chris is a nationally recognised expert in snake handling, reptile behaviour, urban wildlife conflict, and public education.
Chris’s reputation has been forged not only through his field expertise, but also through the many dramatic and unexpected encounters that have drawn public attention. His work has been featured in a wide range of news stories, from relocating a highly venomous eastern brown snake on a suburban driveway, to investigating a bizarre discovery of a python outside a childcare centre, and responding to a massive python hiding in a café bathroom. Whether the call comes from a household, a highway, or a hospital, Chris brings calm, care, and competence to each situation.
More than just a reptile remover, Chris is a long-time educator and public speaker who regularly runs snake safety training for schools, construction companies, councils, and community groups. His engaging and informative presentations help demystify native snakes and lizards, emphasising coexistence and safety over fear. He is also a licensed wildlife demonstrator with experience delivering reptile talks across a wide range of settings—from classrooms to corporate boardrooms.
Chris currently serves as President of the Australian Herpetological Society (AHS), Australia’s oldest continually running herpetology society, where he helps lead public outreach, education initiatives, and conservation discussions. He is the co-author of multiple field guides, including the forthcoming Reptiles of the Greater Sydney Region, a modern field companion that combines scientific accuracy with field-tested identification tips and stunning natural photography.
A strong advocate for animal welfare and responsible reptile keeping, Chris supports reform in wildlife licensing and husbandry standards. He regularly contributes to professional forums and publications and was recently featured in Pet News Australia discussing the need for a more balanced, evidence-driven approach to keeping native reptiles in captivity.
Whether helping office workers rescue a stranded snake near a busy road or sharing insight on how to deal with snakes in the home, Chris brings professionalism, practical know-how, and genuine care to every situation.
To enquire about media appearances, educational talks, workplace safety training, or expert consultation, contact Urban Reptile Removal.