Do You Catch Lizards or Goannas?

Yes — Urban Reptile Removal relocates all reptile species, not just snakes.

This includes:

  • Blue-tongue lizards

  • Eastern water dragons

  • Monitor lizards (goannas)

  • Skinks

  • Geckos

However, when it comes to lizards and goannas, the right approach depends on the species and the situation.

Blue-Tongue Lizards

Blue-tongue lizards are completely harmless and were once a common sight in Sydney backyards.

We often joke that if you’ve got a blue-tongue, there are only two things you really need to do:

  1. Give it a name

  2. Feed it a banana

In reality, blue-tongues do far more good than harm. They eat snails, slugs, and garden pests, and they’re generally slow, gentle animals.

If they’re safe from dogs and you’re comfortable having them around, they’re often worth keeping.
That said, not everyone wants a reptile in the yard — and that’s perfectly understandable. If you’d prefer a blue-tongue relocated, we’re happy to help.

Eastern Water Dragons

Eastern water dragons are extremely adaptable and thrive in urban environments.

Removal is usually requested when a dragon becomes too confident, such as:

  • Stealing pet food

  • Dominating food and water bowls

  • Repeatedly turning up in inconvenient locations

And because they are, quite literally, water dragons, they often choose swimming pools as a toilet — something most homeowners quickly lose patience with.

If a water dragon is becoming a nuisance, we can relocate it to a more suitable location.

Monitor Lizards and Goannas

Monitor lizards (commonly called goannas) have large natural home ranges that often overlap with suburban areas.

A single backyard is not large enough for a goanna to live permanently, but they may pass through regularly as part of their normal movement.

Problems arise when monitors:

  • Pose a risk to small pets

  • Repeatedly enter roof spaces

  • Cause damage to insulation, wiring, or ducting

If a goanna is repeatedly entering your roof or creating a safety issue, removal is often the best option.

And without question:
Large monitors are the most dangerous animals we handle.
Not because they’re aggressive, but because of their strength, claws, and ability to cause serious injury if mishandled.

If it’s a reptile and it shouldn’t be where it is, Urban Reptile Removal can help.
Call 0418 633 474 for advice or relocation.

Can You Check If a Snake Is Still on My Property?

Absolutely.

If you’ve lost sight of a snake, we can carry out a thorough property inspection and check all the places snakes typically hide. Snakes are far better at disappearing than most people realise, so a proper search is often worthwhile.

Why Snakes Seem to “Vanish”

Snakes are experts at slipping into:

  • Gaps under decking

  • Small openings around hot water systems

  • Retaining walls and garden edging

  • Thick shrubs and groundcover

  • Roof cavities and subfloor spaces

  • Gaps behind stored items in sheds and garages

In many cases, they don’t travel far at all — they simply move a metre or two into cover and stay still.

What We Do During a Property Check

When we inspect a property, we:

  • Check all likely hiding spots

  • Look for shed skins, tracks, or movement trails

  • Identify access points into buildings

  • Assess rodent activity and food sources

  • Explain why the snake may have been there

  • Provide practical advice to reduce future risk

If the snake is still present and accessible, we’ll remove it safely.
If it has moved on, you’ll still receive valuable information that helps prevent future encounters.

A Helpful Perspective

Most snakes around homes are simply lost.

They don’t want to be in your yard — and certainly not inside your house. If snakes had facial expressions, you’d see panic when they realise they’ve wandered into unfamiliar territory surrounded by giants… us.

Many adult snakes are 10 to 50 years old and have spent decades quietly moving around the same home range without ever crossing paths with a homeowner. Eventually, an encounter happens — and the snake is just as surprised as you are.

If you’ve seen a snake but don’t know where it’s gone, call 0418 633 474 and we’ll help determine whether it’s still on the property and what to do next.

Can You Identify a Snake From a Description?

Sometimes — but a description alone is usually unreliable.

Many people describe snakes as “brown”, “black”, or “stripy”. Unfortunately, those descriptions can apply to multiple species in Sydney. Colour and body pattern are often misleading, and many snakes look very similar along the body.

Why Photos Matter

A photo taken from a safe distance is far more useful than a verbal description. Even a blurry image can often provide enough detail for identification.

Most importantly:

  • A head photo is far more valuable than a body photo

  • Head shape, scale arrangement, and facial features are key identification markers

  • Two species may look almost identical along the body but completely different around the head

What About Snake Skins?

Snake skins can sometimes help — but only if the head of the skin is intact.

The body portion alone is rarely enough because:

  • Body patterns vary widely

  • Many species overlap in size and shape

  • Key identifying features are usually near the head

If the head section of the skin is present, accurate identification is far more likely.

If a Photo Isn’t Possible

We’ll still work with whatever information you can provide and ask targeted questions to narrow things down. But if there’s any doubt, the safest approach is always the same:

  • Assume the snake could be venomous

  • Keep your distance

  • Call 0418 633 474 for advice or assistance

Professional Reptile Advice and Removal

Whether it’s a lizard, goanna, or snake — Urban Reptile Removal provides calm, professional assessment, identification, and relocation across Sydney and surrounding areas.

If you’re unsure what you’re dealing with, or something doesn’t feel right, call 0418 633 474.
We’ll help you work out what it is — and what to do next.