Mount Colah Snake Catcher
Mount Colah: Snake Catcher — 0418 633 474
Mount Colah sits on the edge of some of the most active snake habitat in the entire Sydney Basin. With dense bushland, shaded residential pockets, sandstone ridges, moisture-rich gullies, wildlife corridors, older homes with perfect hiding spots and strong rodent activity, snakes move through Mount Colah every single warm day of the year. Many remain unseen until they suddenly appear in a garden, on a driveway, inside a garage, behind a shed, underneath a deck, or even within a home. If you see a snake anywhere in Mount Colah, call Urban Reptile Removal immediately on 0418 633 474.
Urban Reptile Removal is the number one Sydney snake catcher, attending more removals across Hornsby Shire and Greater Sydney than any other service. We know Mount Colah’s terrain, vegetation, wildlife pathways and micro-habitats intimately. When a snake appears, we provide fast, calm, experienced and fully legal relocation, ensuring your safety and the safe handling of the animal.
Do not attempt to approach, frighten, trap or kill a snake. Snakes only become defensive when threatened, and even harmless species can strike if cornered. Step back, create distance, protect pets and call 0418 633 474 immediately for professional help.
Why Mount Colah Has Extremely High Snake Activity
Mount Colah is surrounded by natural bushland and contains numerous micro-habitats ideal for reptile movement. These include:
• Shaded gardens
• Moist soil and irrigation areas
• Dense shrubs and hedges
• Sandstone retaining walls
• Timber piles and shed corners
• Leaf litter and mulch
• Under-house voids and subfloor areas
• Rock crevices
• Drainage lines
• Abundant prey animals
Snakes move according to scent, cover, heat, food and moisture — not suburb boundaries. Mount Colah provides all the conditions snakes need to hunt, rest and travel.
Snake activity surges during:
• Spring temperature rises
• Early summer mornings
• Hot late afternoons
• After rain
• Rodent population increases
• Autumn feeding before cooler weather
• Warm winter days
Mount Colah residents frequently encounter snakes during gardening, yard work, walking to the car or when opening a shed or garage.
What To Do Immediately If You See a Snake in Mount Colah
Your safety depends on your first reaction. The correct approach is simple:
• Stop moving and step back calmly
• Bring pets indoors immediately
• Keep children well away
• Do not approach the snake
• Do not attempt to kill it
• Do not throw items or spray water
• Do not trap it under containers
• Do not try to herd it away
• Maintain visual contact from a safe distance
• Call Urban Reptile Removal on 0418 633 474
Red Bellied Black Snakes, like this one, are the most common species we are called out to relocate across the sydney region. https://urbanreptileremoval.com.au/sydney-reptile-species/red-bellied-black-snake
Snakes avoid confrontation unless threatened. Giving them space prevents escalation and allows us to remove them safely.
Snake Species Commonly Found in Mount Colah
Mount Colah has all major Sydney snake species. Below are the five most commonly encountered and relocated by Urban Reptile Removal:
A glossy black snake with a bright red underside, often found in cool, shaded and moist environments.
Behaviour:
• Venomous
• Prefers damp gardens, drains, shaded lawn edges and water sources
• Moves quietly and smoothly through vegetation
• Generally shy but defensive if cornered
If sighted, remain at a safe distance and call Urban Reptile Removal.
One of the world’s most venomous snakes. Fast, alert and extremely defensive when threatened.
Key traits:
• Highly venomous
• Very quick and reactive
• Attracted strongly to rodents
• Frequently hides in warm narrow gaps — edging, pavers, steps, debris
• Often misidentified
Brown snake sightings require urgent action and professional handling.
Golden Crown SnakeA small, slender species with a pale golden marking across the head. Often uncovered during gardening.
Details:
• Not dangerous
• Lives in leaf litter, mulch, compost and loose soil
• Easily mistaken for a baby brown snake
• May bite defensively if handled
Despite being harmless, they should be relocated by a professional to avoid confusion.
A harmless, fast-moving species common in leafy suburbs like Mount Colah.
Behaviour:
• Non-venomous
• Excellent climber
• Found on fences, gutters, pergolas, hedges and walls
• Sometimes enters homes through open windows and gaps
• Moves rapidly when startled
If one appears indoors, we can remove it safely and gently.
A large python with distinctive yellow-and-black diamond patterns. Harmless and highly effective at controlling rodents.
Behaviour:
• Slow and calm
• Frequently found basking on roofs, walls, pavers or rock shelves
• Often hides in roof cavities
• Moves silently at night
• Startles residents due to size
If a python is in an unsuitable location, we relocate it humanely.
Why Snakes Enter Mount Colah Properties
Mount Colah backs directly onto Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. That is not incidental to the snake activity residents experience here. It is the reason for it. Snakes move out of the park continuously, following food, heat, water, and shelter into gardens, yards, and homes. The suburb's mix of older housing stock, established gardens, sandstone outcrops, and gully drainage lines gives them everything they need once they arrive.
Rodents are the most reliable attractant. Mice and rats nesting under floors, in roof voids, or in garden sheds draw snakes in and keep them returning. A rodent problem that goes unaddressed rarely stays a rodent problem for long.
Hard surfaces pull snakes toward houses in a way that surprises most people. Driveways, concrete slabs, brick fences, sandstone retaining walls, pavers, and timber decks all absorb heat and release it slowly. Snakes use these surfaces to regulate body temperature. Morning encounters on driveways and along sun-exposed walls are among the most common callouts we attend in Mount Colah.
Water draws snakes during dry periods. Bird baths, garden ponds, pet bowls, dripping taps, irrigation systems, damp mulch beds, and overflow trays all create the moisture snakes actively seek when conditions are dry.
Shelter determines whether a snake settles. Sub-floor voids, deck cavities, retaining wall gaps, pool pump enclosures, firewood stacks, rock piles, and areas of dense leaf litter all offer protection and quiet. A property with good shelter will see the same snake more than once.
Snake Activity in Mount Colah Through the Year
Mount Colah does not have an off-season for snakes. It has a slow season, and even that is relative.
From September, rising temperatures bring snakes out of winter shelter and mating activity increases movement significantly. By November the season is running at full pace. The months from November through February produce the most callouts, with encounters occurring on lawns, driveways, in garages, and inside homes.
Autumn catches many residents off guard. Snakes feed heavily in March and April to build reserves before cooler weather, and a warm week in autumn can produce as many sightings as a week in midsummer.
Winter reduces but does not eliminate activity. Diamond pythons are regularly found on sunny fence lines and in sheltered garden spots throughout June, July, and August. Green tree snakes remain active on warm afternoons later into the cool season than most people expect. Rapid temperature shifts in either direction tend to trigger sudden movement, which is when unexpected sightings most often occur.
Snake Removal in Mount Colah: Urban Reptile Removal
Urban Reptile Removal responds to snake callouts across Mount Colah and the wider Hornsby Shire. When you call, you speak directly with a trained, licensed snake catcher. There is no call centre, no subcontractor, and no third party to track down before someone is dispatched.
On arrival, the species is identified immediately. The snake is removed safely and relocated legally in accordance with NSW wildlife law. Where it is useful, we will explain what attracted the snake and what changes are worth making before it comes back.
Chris Williams, who leads Urban Reptile Removal, has worked with Australian reptiles for over 35 years. He is President of the Australian Herpetological Society and the author of multiple published field guides to Sydney reptiles.
If you see a snake in Mount Colah:
Do not approach it. Do not attempt to catch, move, or kill it. Move children and pets to a safe distance, keep the snake in sight if you can do so safely, and call immediately.
Snake in Mount Colah? Call 0418 633 474.
About Chris Williams
Chris Williams has spent more than 35 years working with reptiles and amphibians throughout Australia and is widely recognised as one of the country's leading herpetologists. Since 2014, he has served as President of the Australian Herpetological Society, helping to promote reptile education, research and conservation nationwide.
His professional background includes roles with the Australian Reptile Park and Taronga Zoo, as well as extensive field experience working with reptiles across New South Wales. Chris is also the founder of Snake Ranch, which grew to become Australia's largest reptile breeding facility.
In addition to his field and zoo work, Chris has authored seven books on Australian reptiles, amphibians and wildlife. He is regularly interviewed regarding reptile interactions. Through Urban Reptile Removal, he continues to train and mentor snake catchers throughout New South Wales, ensuring the highest standards of safety, professionalism and reptile expertise are maintained across the network.
We wrote the book on urban reptiles - https://sydneysnakecatcher.com.au/shop/
