Step back
Give the snake room. Do not touch, trap, chase or try to kill it.
Sydney species guide
Snake identification—from a safe distance
Use these profiles to understand possibilities, not to decide that a snake is safe to approach. Sydney species can vary in colour and are easily confused.
Call about a snake sighting0485 669 82412 reference profiles
Venomous, non-venomous and often misidentified
Each page links to a museum or NSW source. Every identification image is matched to the exact scientific taxon in its source metadata and carries a reusable licence.
Highly venomous
Eastern brown snake
Pseudonaja textilisColour varies greatly, so never rely on colour alone.
Venomous
Red-bellied black snake
Pseudechis porphyriacusUsually glossy black above with red or pink colour along the lower sides.
Non-venomous
Diamond python
Morelia spilota spilotaA heavy-bodied python with cream or yellow diamond-like markings.
Venomous; not generally considered dangerous
Yellow-faced whip snake
Demansia psammophisA small fast-moving snake with distinctive facial markings.
Mildly venomous
Golden-crowned snake
Cacophis squamulosusSmall, nocturnal and dark-bodied with a pale crown marking.
Mildly venomous
Marsh snake
Hemiaspis signataA small olive to brown snake often associated with wetter ground.
Venomous
Small-eyed snake
Cryptophis nigrescensUsually dark above with a pinkish belly; often active at night.
Non-venomous
Common tree snake
Dendrelaphis punctulatusA slender climbing snake whose colour can vary from olive to green or dark tones.
Highly venomous
Common death adder
Acanthophis antarcticusA short, stout ambush predator that can remain very still in leaf litter.
Highly venomous
Tiger snake
Notechis scutatusPatterning varies and bands may be faint or absent.
Venomous and threatened
Broad-headed snake
Hoplocephalus bungaroidesA threatened species that must never be disturbed or handled.
Non-venomous
Blackish blind snake
Anilios nigrescensA small burrowing snake with smooth shiny scales and reduced eyes.
Do this now
Four calm steps make the scene safer
Clear the area
Move children and pets indoors or behind a closed door.
Keep a safe view
If you can do so safely, note where it goes. Never corner it.
Call the network
Tell us the suburb, the last clear location and any immediate risks.
Keep it simple
Snake still visible? Call while you know where it is.
One clear phone number connects you with the SnakeSafe Sydney catcher network. We’ll ask a few quick questions and check current coverage.