About Chris Williams – Urban Snake & Reptile Removal

Sydney’s Most Experienced Urban Reptile Specialist

For more than 35 years, Chris Williams has been one of Sydney’s most trusted and experienced reptile specialists.

As the founder of Urban Reptile Removal, Chris provides fast, safe and professional snake removal services across Sydney, backed by decades of field expertise and industry leadership.

He is widely regarded as a leading authority on urban reptiles—the snakes, lizards, geckos and turtles that now live alongside us in Australia’s largest city. His work focuses on how constant urban development creates both “winners” and “losers” among native wildlife, and how people can safely coexist with the species that turn up in backyards, schools, workplaces and construction sites.

A Career Built on Reptile Expertise

Chris began working with reptiles in 1990 as a reptile-handling instructor for WIRES, training new rescuers in safe reptile capture and relocation.

In 1991 he joined Taronga Zoo’s reptile department, working with highly venomous species including cobras, rattlesnakes and Australian elapids, while contributing to conservation programs for endangered species.

He later worked at the Australian Reptile Park and Reptiles Alive!, where he delivered reptile-education programs across New South Wales, helping thousands of people better understand the reptiles living in suburban and rural areas.

Since 2014, Chris has served as President of the Australian Herpetological Society, leading public education, community engagement and conservation work across the state. During this time he also founded Snake Ranch, which grew to become Australia’s largest reptile-breeding facility, housing more than 3,500 reptiles with a dedicated team of staff.

Sydney’s Urban Reptile Expert

Chris has written and co-authored several major reptile books that have strengthened his reputation as a leading expert in the field. These include:

Key Herpetology Titles

• The Snake Ranch Guide to Reptile Care (2014)

• A Tribute to the Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia and New Zealand (2019) – with Chelsea Maier

• Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia, New Zealand and New Guinea (2022)

Urban & Regional Reptile Guides

These books cemented Chris’s authority as Sydney’s most experienced urban reptile specialist:

• Urban Reptiles (2024)
  A critically acclaimed look at which species thrive and which struggle as Sydney’s suburbs expand.

• Reptiles of the Red Centre (2025)
  A detailed natural history of Central Australia’s reptile fauna.

• Reptiles of the Greater Sydney Region (2026) – with Tim Faulkner
  A definitive guide to the snakes and lizards of Sydney’s bushland, coastal areas and suburban environments.

These publications significantly boost the expertise behind Urban Snake & Reptile Removal, reinforcing why Chris is the person Sydneysiders call when they need a safe, professional and knowledgeable snake catcher.

Why Sydney Chooses Urban Snake &Reptile Removal

When residents search for snake catcher near me, snake removal Sydney, or licensed snake catcher, they’re looking for someone with real experience — not just someone who shows up with a hook.

Chris offers:

• 35+ years of hands-on reptile experience

• Full accreditation and insurance

• Fast 60-minute Sydney-wide snake removal

• Expert identification of Sydney’s venomous and non-venomous species

• Advice on preventing snakes around homes and businesses

• Education for schools, daycares, workplaces and community groups

Every call-out is backed by scientific knowledge, professional handling and decades of experience working with Australia’s most dangerous snakes.

Trusted by Sydney Homes, Schools and Businesses

Urban Reptile Removal works across:

• residential homes

• real estate agencies

• construction and demolition sites

• government properties

• schools, daycares and community centres

• commercial and industrial premises

From Red-bellied Black Snakes and Eastern Browns to Diamond Pythons and Golden Crown Snakes, Chris has safely removed thousands of snakes across Greater Sydney.

Speak With Sydney’s Leading Urban Reptile Expert

If you’ve found a snake in your home, business or backyard, don’t take risks.
Contact Urban Reptile Removal for fast, safe and professional snake removal from one of Sydney’s most experienced reptile handlers.

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:

1. Stay Calm: Remember that snakes are generally more afraid of humans than we are of them. Staying calm and composed is crucial.

2. 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.

3. Contact Professionals: Call Urban Reptile Removal. We specialise in snake removal and catching services in the Ryde and surrounding districts.

4. 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.