Interactions Between Snakes and Humans: Understanding Snake Behaviour, Reducing Risk, and Knowing When to Call a Professional - Urban Reptile Removal – Sydney & NSW📞 0418 633 474
Interactions Between Snakes and Humans
Understanding Snake Behaviour, Reducing Risk, and Knowing When to Call a Professional
Urban Reptile Removal – Sydney & NSW
📞 0418 633 474
Human encounters with snakes are common across Sydney and New South Wales, yet much of what people believe about snake behaviour is inaccurate, outdated, or shaped by fear rather than evidence. Misunderstanding how snakes behave around people is one of the leading causes of unnecessary conflict, injury, and snake deaths.
This article explains what actually happens when people and snakes meet, why snakes behave the way they do, and how property owners can reduce the risk of contact. The information presented here is based on decades of field research, including material from Jeff Coombe’s authoritative book Working With Snakes, combined with real-world experience from Chris Williams, founder of Urban Reptile Removal.
If you have a snake on your property and need immediate assistance, call Urban Reptile Removal on 0418 633 474.
Why Snakes Behave the Way They Do
Snakes are not aggressive animals. They do not seek confrontation with humans, nor do they “attack without warning.” Like all wildlife, snake behaviour is driven by survival, not intent.
When active, a snake is constantly assessing risk using:
vision
vibration detection
scent (via tongue flicking and Jacobson’s organ)
temperature and environmental cues
A human is perceived by a snake as a large, unpredictable predator. The snake’s objective is almost always to avoid detection and escape, not to engage.
The Hierarchy of Snake Responses
Research consistently shows that snakes follow a predictable four-step response hierarchy when confronted:
Camouflage
The snake remains motionless, relying on cryptic colouring to avoid being seen.
Warning
If discovered, a snake may flatten its body, raise its forebody, hiss, or display defensive posture.
Flight
Escape is the preferred option. Most snakes flee rapidly when given space.
Bite
Biting occurs only when escape is impossible and all other options have failed.
This hierarchy explains why most bites occur when snakes are stepped on, grabbed, cornered, or interfered with, rather than during casual sightings.
If you see a snake and maintain distance, the likelihood of a bite is extremely low.
What Really Happens When People and Brown Snakes Meet
Eastern Brown Snakes are often described as “aggressive,” yet extensive research contradicts this reputation.
Field studies show that when humans encounter brown snakes:
nearly half retreat immediately
many remain stationary
only a small percentage move toward a person
fewer than 3% advance in a way that could be described as defensive confrontation
Importantly, movement is the key trigger. A moving human or animal is far more likely to provoke a response than someone standing still.
This is why many reported “chasing” incidents are actually snakes attempting to reach cover while following their own scent trail — sometimes moving briefly toward a person in the process.
Variables That Influence Snake Behaviour
Snake responses vary depending on multiple factors, including:
temperature (cool snakes move differently to warm snakes)
vegetation cover
prior activity (resting vs travelling)
sex and breeding condition
time of day
weather conditions
distance and speed of human approach
Snakes under dense groundcover often tolerate closer proximity before reacting. Snakes in open areas react earlier and move faster.
Understanding these variables helps explain why two encounters with the same species can look completely different.
Predator Perception and Defensive Behaviour
From a snake’s perspective:
humans
dogs
livestock
machinery
are all perceived as predators, not prey.
Venom is a defensive adaptation. It is metabolically expensive to produce and not used casually. Studies show that:
most strikes are defensive
many strikes are “dry” (no venom injected)
snakes are reluctant to deliver full envenomation unless escape is impossible
This directly contradicts the myth that snakes “want to bite.”
Why People Kill Snakes (And Why It Backfires)
Surveys show that many snakes are killed because people:
believe they are aggressive
think killing makes an area safer
feel pressured to “do something”
fear for children or pets
However, attempting to kill a snake dramatically increases bite risk.
Killing a snake:
brings a person within striking distance
removes the snake’s escape route
escalates defensive behaviour
often involves tools that reduce reaction time
Statistically, people are far more likely to be bitten while trying to kill a snake than by leaving it alone and calling a professional.
If you encounter a snake near your home or workplace, call Urban Reptile Removal on 0418 633 474.
Reducing the Risk of Snake Contact
Prevention is far more effective than reaction. Risk can be reduced by:
keeping lawns trimmed
removing ground clutter and timber piles
controlling rodents
sealing gaps under sheds and buildings
maintaining clear sightlines around paths
wearing enclosed footwear in bushy areas
avoiding tall grass on warm days
Most snake encounters occur because properties provide food, shelter, and cover.
What to Do If You See a Snake
Stop moving
Keep visual contact from a safe distance
Do not attempt to handle, kill, or herd the snake
Keep people and pets away
Call Urban Reptile Removal on 0418 633 474
If the snake moves, observe from a distance and note where it goes. This helps professionals locate it safely.
Defusing an Encounter Safely
If a snake is aware of you and cannot escape:
remain still
avoid sudden movements
allow the snake time to assess and move away
do not attempt to frighten it
Snakes do not bite stationary objects. Movement is the primary trigger.
When Professional Snake Removal Is Essential
Professional removal is recommended when:
a snake is inside a building
children or pets are present
escape routes are blocked
the snake is defensive or trapped
the location poses ongoing risk
Urban Reptile Removal provides experienced, licensed snake relocation across Sydney and NSW.
📞 0418 633 474
Evidence, Not Myth
Much of what the public believes about snakes comes from:
sensationalist media
exaggerated anecdotes
outdated publications
social media misinformation
The reality, supported by decades of research and field observation, is far calmer and far more predictable.
Understanding snake behaviour saves lives — both human and reptile.
About the Author
Chris Williams is a licensed snake catcher, educator, and herpetology author with decades of experience working with Australian reptiles. This article draws on Jeff Coombe’s Working With Snakes, one of Australia’s most respected texts on snake behaviour and human interaction.
