Cairns Snake Catcher in Trinity Beach, Queensland, Australia | Home improvement

Cairns Snake Catcher

Locality: Trinity Beach, Queensland, Australia

Phone: +61 467 473 883

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• Pest control service

25.01.2022 PELMET PARTY!!! A luxurious property preparing for sale in Kewarra Beach made the perfect habitat to host this love triangle of common tree snakes. With the five bedroom house to themselves, the trio of tree snakes were kicking breeding season off in style! That was until the real estate agents at DJ Smith Property uncovered their love nest deep in the pelmet of the main window! As we commence our accent out of winter many species of snakes begin their breeding season in the wet tropics. Scrub pythons and brown tree snakes are often heard at this time of year making noise in the roof space, but common tree snakes partying in the pelmet of the window is far less common...

23.01.2022 Perfect weather conditions in Cairns saw many residents load up their boats and head to the reef today, while other residents took the opportunity to tidy up their yards after last weeks rain. One Trinity Beach resident decided to deal with the ever growing pile of palm fronds in the corner of his backyard (which we all have) and uncovered an angry red-bellied black snake. This dangerously venomous snake is glossy black on the dorsal surface and red/crimson or even pink in c...olour on the lower sides and belly. They diet primarily on frogs, but they also prey on reptiles, small mammals and also eat other snakes- including those of their own species! The red-bellied black snake are also live bearers- meaning they don't lay eggs, but give birth to live young. This is a timely reminder that spring often sees an increase in activity of some venomous snake species around suburban Cairns. Death adders and red-bellied black snakes are the most common species we relocate around Cairns. While tidying up the yard - it is always a good idea to wear shoes long pants and gloves - particularly if your dealing with the pile of palm fronds! Meanwhile at another pile of palm fronds - this time in Kewarra Beach, a large female scrub python was noticed sunning herself at the top of the mound. When I arrived she was no where to be seen but as I dug deeper into the pile of fronds, I found her curled around her clutch of 15 eggs. Dumping vegetation to rot in the backyard creates perfect habitat for snakes, so try not to let the pile get too big and stay for too long. See more

23.01.2022 Its a jungle out there! We suspect that this beautiful black headed python may have been a pet that escaped its enclosure and had been 'living rough' for a while by the time we found it. The snake was in poor condition and was found trying to enter a Woree residence via the doggy door. Black-headed pythons are generally found inland and not the coastal areas around Cairns (although there is rumored to be a small population on the Yarrabah range). They feed largely on repti...les, including venomous snakes although small mammals and birds are occasionally taken. This species does not have the heat-sensing pits on the lower jaw that are found in other pythons and can grow to an average length of 1.5m (reaching a maximum length of 2.5m). This black-headed python has since been surrendered to the Wildlife Management Unit of the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection and will be found a new home under one of their relocation programs.

23.01.2022 Over the years I have had to deal with many wild snakes that have either died or were in the process of dying while attempting to swallow the dreaded cane toad. Unfortunately my daughters beloved Bearded Dragon Edwardo suffered a similar fate after escaping his enclosure last weekend. Dr Annabelle Olsson and her team at Boongarry Veterinary Surgery are our go to reptile specialists. They offer valuable pet health alerts with this important insight into what to do if your pet eats a cane toad. RIP Edwardo.

22.01.2022 While many Cairns residents spent the long weekend entertaining friends in their tropical yards- a lovely couple from Forrest Gardens were unwittingly hosting a 1.6m Coastal Taipan in their small courtyard! On arrival it was clear that this Coastal Taipan was lethargic and not as energised as others I have had to relocate in the past. I very carefully pinned the snake behind the neck and picked it up. A closer examination revealed a break in its spine midway down its body -... possibly the result of being run over at some point. Unfortunately the snake had to be euthanized due to the severity of the injury. The Coastal Taipan is a snake that commands respect, equipped with long fangs capable of delivering the third most toxic venom of any land snake on earth. They are renowned for defending themselves with multiple strikes/bites which have resulted in some human deaths over the years. The head shape is quite distinct with an angular brow (which makes it look more angry than angular) and is lighter colored on the face. The eye is a reddish colour and has a round pupil. To appreciate these features however you have to get very close to a Coastal Taipan which I do NOT recommend doing. The Coastal Taipan only eats mammals such as small rodents and is active during the day and in the evenings during hot weather. The Brown Tree Snake is often misidentified as the Coastal Taipan. While these dangerously venomous snakes are not a welcome addition to most people's yards, they are native to our area and an important part of local ecology. Coastal Taipan's have not urbanised well when compared to Scrub Python's and Brown Tree Snakes and as a result we rarely catch them in surburban areas around Cairns. Habitat destruction poses a significant threat to the local Taipan population and I have included a shot of a new development site in Smithfield to emphasize the point. Land clearing can often result in heighten snake activity for people living on the edge of the new development as the local wildlife is forced to find some new accommodation. Residents living on the edge of this land development should show heightened snake awareness at this time.

22.01.2022 A Mooroobool couple arrived home last night to find a 5m scrub python had parked itself in their carport. They called me out and I was intrigued to find such a large snake coiled up in such an open space! When I picked the snake up I could tell it was lethargic and it quickly became apparent that the big snake was recovering from a serious injury. I had the snake examined by a vet and it was subsequently released. The scrub python may have been ran over by a car at some point. Big snakes like these often span the whole width of the road and are susceptible to car strikes. Snakes often cross or warm themselves on roads at night and can be hard to see, so be careful if you do see a small stick or a large log on the road at night as it might be a snake!

21.01.2022 There is nothing like arriving at your serene Palm Cove holiday rental property to find a 4.5m scrub python sunning itself by the pool! Welcome to Cairns. This beautiful specimen was shining like a rainbow when I arrived pool side this morning. The scrub python or Amethystine python puts on a visual spectacular when light reflects off their scales at the right angle which has given the snake its name. The scrub python is Australia's largest snake and can grow up to 8.5 m...etres. They are commonly seen basking in the early morning at this time of year as the nights get colder and they need to warm up. This nonvenomous python was very placid and in excellent condition weighing just under 20kg. As winter progresses, it is common for scrub pythons to take up residence in some roof spaces around Cairns as it becomes more about thermoregulation (keeping warm) rather than feeding activity. it should be noted that these snakes still eat during winter but not as frequently as in the warmer months - so you still need to be vigilant about keeping your smaller pets indoors at night or in snake proof enclosures. See more

20.01.2022 Introducing the newest member of the Cairns Snake Catching team - Jason Legg. Jason is a professional fishing guide, accomplished crocodile and snake handler, and a welcome addition to our team. We now have three professional snake catchers spanning multiple generations to help limit negative interaction between local Cairns residents and the local snake species. Scrub pythons were out in force this weekend looking to exploit any weaknesses in suburban chicken coops i...n order to access an easy meal. Jason caught this impressive Scrub Python on Friday at a residence in Machans Beach. Just short of 5m and weighing an impressive 28kg this big scrub python was found on top of a chicken coop systematically searching for the entrance to the all you can eat chicken buffet. Many other scrub pythons were also removed from in and around chicken coops this week. It is a timely reminder that as it gets hotter snake appetites increase and small pets left outside for the night need to be kept in a snake proof enclosure. See more

20.01.2022 Snakes are not usually credited with brightening up most people's days, but this stunning blue phase common tree snake was shining like a jewel when I arrived at a Gordonvale property this afternoon. The owner was not a huge fan of snakes but conceded that it was one of the most beautiful snakes she had encountered. I was in complete agreement.

19.01.2022 Found....one partially digested blue teddy bear missing an eye and a little stinky, but ready to be reunited with its owner.... This soft toy was clearly in the wrong place at the wrong time when it was swallowed whole by a relatively small scrub python. The teddy bear was subsequently regurgitated in a pool pump shed in Trinity Beach. Like humans, snakes sometimes make mistakes - especially when it comes to meal time. Pythons are renowned for swallowing strange prey ite...ms ranging from barbecue tongs to electric blankets or even the curtains. For whatever reason, whether their senses become impaired or they just make a bad call, once committed to swallowing a meal they rarely give up. The snakes around Cairns are definitely on the move as spring swings into full gear. It is the season of love for scrub pythons and I have interrupted many breeding aggregations in various roof spaces around Cairns this week. This bigger scrub python came from Clifton Beach. If you are hearing very loud bumping and thumping coming from above, you may have some snake action going on in the roof. In the most extreme cases this can sometimes cause some structural damage to the property. If you feel you need a roof inspection call us on 0467 473 883, or if this teddy is yours!

18.01.2022 The past few weeks have been pretty hectic dealing with some very active members of the Scrub Python community! Many roof spaces around Cairns have been turned into the Scrub Python equivalent of Gilligan's NIght Club with plenty of intense socialising keeping residents wide awake into the early hours. I relocated six Scrub Pythons from one residence with another remaining at large. Having spent the the past few weeks on my belly squeezing into places that even some snake...s find hard to occupy, I have had to break up fights, track down serial offenders, and even separate two snakes joined at the hips...or rather cloaca. Often I will find two snakes curled up together in perfect condition while another is curled up alone covered in deep lacerations. It is a brutal pass time being the loser! Some simple steps that can be taken to avoid your roof space being turned into a scrub python saloon, include clearing vegetation away from your gutter, ensuring their is no open access to your roof space, installing/checking gutter guard and baiting for rats regularly. Should your hear unusual activity in your roof space call 0467 473 883. See more

18.01.2022 When the only item left on the bread shelf is a cranky brown tree snake, you know Far North Qld is having an eventful wet season. Trinity Beach shoppers weren't seeing or feeling Tip Top when they encountered some early morning attitude from this grumpy customer. Wet conditions in Cairns have resulted in many snakes seeking a reprieve from the weather in dryer areas in and around buildings, homes and shops. Brown tree snakes, common tree snakes, spotted pythons and scrub pythons have been the main species featuring on our recent catch list. During prolonged periods of rain it is worth keeping all the screens to your home shut to avoid snakes ending up in your house.

17.01.2022 Most people stop checking under their beds for monsters as they get older, however occasionally it is still worth checking.... A Trinity Park couple were woken in the night by their dog growling at something under their bed as they were sleeping. After the bedside lamp was switched on they caught a glimpse of a snake under their bed. When I arrived they were relatively calm and suspected it was a 50cm tree snake. I crawled under their bed and was greeted by a 3m scr...ub python tightly wrapped around the bed frame and in a really bad mood. I warned the couple that their room mate was slightly larger than they had initially suspected! The scub python (non-venomous) was relocated and we all agreed that they should look into closing the screen door during the night which was always left open for their pets.

17.01.2022 Earlier in the week I was called to a Trinity Park residence to mediate between a 40kg Rottweiler and a highly defensive 4.8m scrub python (19kg). Both dog and snake had been engaged in a tense Mexican standoff but were obviously able to negotiate some form of agreement as their were no discernible wounds on either animal after the dust had settled. The scrub python was in poor condition for its length whereas the Rottweiler was looking match fit! The stressed out scrubby... was promptly relocated to a less intense environment and the Rottweiler was trotting around triumphantly having regained control of its yard. If your dog does detect a snake in the backyard or has one cornered in a section of the yard it is best to bring the dog inside and not approach the snake as threatened snakes will often strike out in defense. Once the threat has been removed the snake will often leave the yard immediately - if the snake hangs around call 0467 473 883 for advice. See more

16.01.2022 The head of a coastal taipan is often described as 'boxy' however this analogy was taken to the next level when I arrived at a Smithfield residence to find a coastal taipans head sticky taped to a cardboard box in the carport! Coastal taipans are dangerously venomous and need to be treated with extreme caution - especially when they are stressed. After much sweating, I managed to remove the tape from the taipan's head and upper body and released it back into the wild. This... was one present I hope never to unwrap again. Sticky tape related snake injuries/deaths are more common than people may think. Two hours after unwrapping the taipan, I received a picture of a brown tree snake...with it's head entrapped in sticky tape. Moral of the story: Never leave loose bits of sticky tape hanging off the boxes in the shed and never attempt to unwrap venomous gifts.

15.01.2022 Scrub python breeding season is off with a BANG....in the roof! A Whiterock couple were shocked to see their ceiling flex and crack under the weight of these 4-5m Amethystine pythons, also referred to as scrub pythons. Extracting this dynamic duo was no easy feat and ultimately resulted in the ceiling giving way as these snakes made a particularly dramatic entry into the office! Now is the time of year for ceiling spaces around Cairns to come alive at night with the sound of... scrub pythons as they form breeding aggregations. If you are lucky enough to host a scrub python party in your roof space this breeding season (end of July to late September) it can get pretty wild as males fight each other to impress females. Occasionally these interactions can result in strange smells wafting through different rooms, and even structural damage to your house in the form or ceiling stains or cracks. If you live in or around Cairns and need to book a roof inspection feel free to call 0467 473 883. Cairns Snake Catcher has 3 catchers operating 24/7.

14.01.2022 Given the keen interest in our previous post about the 5.1m Scrub Python with ticks around its face we decided to get the ticks identified by a Professor of Parasitology to answer some of the queries we received. Ticks are found on members of all reptile groups and are especially common in Australian pythons but there is actually very little biological information in Australia about reptile ticks because they have not been studied to the extent that cattle or dog ticks have ...been. What we do know however is that these python ticks are NOT dog ticks nor cattle ticks nor the dangerous so called scrub (or paralysis) tick. The tick on our snake was identified as belonging to the genus (group) Aponomma which is a relatively common tick on reptiles in north Queensland. The interest in these creatures has spurred us into a bit of further research and we will keep you up to speed on developments. In the interim this collected tick and future others will end up in the National Insect Collection in Canberra which should provide long term benefit to future tick research in Australia. See more

13.01.2022 A big working week sometimes calls for a big Friday night sleep. Jack from Trinity Beach was just getting comfortable beneath his sheets when he slipped his hand under his pillow and was bitten on the finger by the enormous spotted python sharing his bed! When I arrived, Jack's wife was deciding whether it was more practical to burn the house down or move to New Zealand and Jack looked like a man destined to get very little sleep over the coming nights. A closer inspection... of the crime scene revealed a solid spotted python that had quickly taken up residence in Jack's bedside drawer. It has been an entertaining week of snake catching around Cairns with a coastal carpet python keen to do some fishing on the outer reef evicted from a boat in Kuranda, a beautiful blue common tree snake removed from a Gordonvale toilet, and a steady supply of scrub pythons consuming pets during the unseasonably warm May nights. With the cooler weather upon us snake activity will decline but vigilance for pet owners is still recommended.

13.01.2022 I got a call from a family who had recently moved from overseas to Gordonvale on the weekend and had caught a snake and put it in a bucket. I got them to send through a photo and was a little disturbed when I received the image. The family had young children playing in the yard and the snake was noticed and subsequently caught by their father using a rake and bucket. After making sure the man had definitely not come in contact with the Death Adder, I explained that it was ...a dangerously venomous snake that is best dealt with by a professional. If you encounter a snake in your yard it is really important that you leave it alone - especially if you don't know what species it is! The vast majority of snake bites occur when people try to kill or catch a snake. If you need the snake relocated it is best to monitor it closely from a safe distance and call your local snake catcher. The suburbs where we have caught the most death adders around Cairns include Clifton Beach to the north and Gordonvale to the south.

12.01.2022 Wet conditions around Cairns have resulted in an increase in snake activity in and around people's homes as many local snake species decide to book themselves into more comfortable accommodation. This gentle giant was caught earlier in the week from Speewah and was desperately trying to find the entrance to the all you can eat duck buffet. Meticulous snake proofing of the duck enclosure was all that stopped this massive 5.2m scrub python from finding his seat at the table.... During wet conditions it is really important to keep all screens on doors and windows shut - particularly at night. This week brown tree snakes, slaty-grey snakes, spotted pythons, common tree snakes, and scrub pythons have been the most common species relocated from inside people's houses. Make sure any small pets like chickens, ducks, guinea pigs or cats are either brought in at night or are kept in snake proof enclosures outside.

11.01.2022 A long time ago in a galaxy very close to Clifton Beach, lived Princess Layer...a much loved chicken. When I first met the Princess back in May, she had been locked in an intense 30 minute battle with a 2.5m scrub python. Her body was limp and the scrub python was getting ready to swallow her whole. After I had completed the uncoiling process and successfully separated snake from chicken, a faint, eerie groan graced the chicken coup. By the time I had coaxed the snake into... the bag, Princess Layer was gingerly getting to her feet. After several weeks of rest and rehabilitation with her family, I received a photo of the Princess in all her glory! Her new perspective on the world is now a little different as she lost one of her eyes in the struggle, but ultimately she has lived to lay another day. Chickens are often beloved pets that are part of the family. Loved by both children and snakes it is important to keep them safe from predation and ensure their enclosures have no gaps that allow wildlife to access the enclosure - particularly at night. My general rule of thumb when snake proofing a chicken coup is if you can fit 2 or 3 of your fingers through a gap- then a snake big enough to eat a chicken can get in. In the words of Darth Vader "The force is strong with this one" (Star Wars- A New Hope). .

11.01.2022 While many parts of Queensland and New South Wales deal with the aftermath of cyclone Debbie, Cairns residents have endured some very warm nights and an influx of snakes! Big scrub pythons have made the most of hot conditions with many Cairns pets under siege throughout the night. Some large brown tree snakes have also been relocated with one from Redlynch measuring 2.4m. Regardless of prevailing conditions, all pet owners in and around Cairns need to ensure that their animals are either inside at night or in a suitable snake proof outside enclosure.

10.01.2022 Friday night's celebrations extended into Saturday morning with these two brown tree snakes putting on quite a performance on a Trinity Beach driveway. For many local snake species spring is the season for love and if your lucky you might even witness a mating event! If you are unlucky it may occur in your roof, on your patio, or even in your bedroom as one Clifton Beach resident found out. If you do come across two snakes mating or fighting, as with most snake encounters just let them be and watch from a safe distance. If they are in your house or pose a risk call 0467473883 for more information.

10.01.2022 I'm not here for a haircut, I'm here to catch your snake...but I will need to borrow your wife's blow dryer.... I could have passed it off as a strange dream, but late last night I found myself blow drying the stairwell of a quiet Kewarra Beach residence. The 2m brown tree snake had retreated into the hollow beam of the stairwell when I arrived and had no intentions of coming out. That is when I decided to turn up the heat. I have used this little trick once on a common tr...ee snake that would not come out of the rim of the toilet bowl, but wasn't sure if it would work in a more industrial setting. By gently heating the area where the snake is hiding the temperature change will often motivate the snake to leave the safety its bunker. After about 5 minutes of reasonably awkward blow drying the snake slowly exited the steel beam and entered my snake bag. Had the snake stayed in the beam I'm sure the resident would have thought I was loosing the plot! See more

09.01.2022 Releasing a 5.2M Scrub Python caught at Speewah

08.01.2022 The Cairns Snake Catcher family would like to extend our most sincere condolences to the family who have been devastated by the loss of their loved one - a long term resident of Yorkeys Knob who was bitten by a coastal taipan last week. Dangerously venomous snake species make up a very small proportion of the snakes we relocate (under 5%), but they do occasionally turn up as demonstrated by this death adder that was relocated from a Smithfield backyard on Christmas night. If you live in and around Cairns and see a snake that your unsure of and able to take a photo from a safe distance you can text us the photo on 0467 473 883 and we will try our very best to let you know what species it is and a recommended course of action.

08.01.2022 When a Manager from the Smithfield Bypass Project called to say they saw a brown snake striking at the tires of a moving water truck my heart-rate increased mildly given the proximity to an old palm farm. Once I arrived the mature 2m coastal taipan had finished biting the truck tires and was ready to start focusing its attention on me instead. The taipan was obviously having a bad day with construction encroaching on its local habitat. Coastal taipans are Australia’s larges...t venomous snake and have extremely long fangs capable of delivering a very dangerous venom. They move incredibly fast and are renowned for striking multiple times if they feel threatened. The coastal taipan was relocated, released and photographed using social distancing! These catches always make me feel a little sad as natural habitat slowly morphs into a new developmentwhich I will use every day to get to work. See more

06.01.2022 The blue phase common tree snake is one of the most visually striking species of snake that I encounter around Cairns. It's neon blue belly is impressive, but the snake takes it's stunning appearance to another level when it puffs up it's body causing the scales on its back to separate revealing fluorescent blue highlights that flash with each breath. Gordonvale and the surrounding southern suburbs yield the highest proportions of these blue beauties than the city and the ...northern beaches according to our catch data. Common tree snakes are non venomous and very reluctant biters. They pose little to no threat to people or pets and should be admired for their beauty and left to their own devices where ever possible. Should they end up in your house (most common during the daytime) you should keep a close eye on their movements as they move fast and can disappear very quickly. See more

05.01.2022 If you think you've had a shitty week, imagine waking to find a spotted python constricting a rat in your porcelain bowl. This Whitfield incident concludes a busy thunderbox themed week for the Cairns Snake Catcher team who collectively visited many local thrones. We are not entirely sure what has attracted the snakes to the toilets, but it is possible that dry conditions might be a factor. In any case, it's worth carefully assessing just how comfortable your call of nature is going to be.

03.01.2022 I have always found the humble water python to be an absolute pleasure to relocate. The water python's beautiful yellow belly is a perfect match for it's mellow temperament. If it were a primary school child, the water python would get an award for behavior. The scrub python however, would spend a bit of time in detention.... This prime specimen was relocated earlier this morning in Freshwater. Water pythons have a glossy back which is brown to black in colour and bright to dull yellow belly. They are more active at night and feed mainly on birds and small mammals. Many water pythons will lay eggs at this time of year. Female water pythons look after their clutch of eggs which are occasionally exposed during earthworks,

01.01.2022 The gloves were off this morning when I was called out to resolve a dispute between two brown tree snakes that were embroiled in an epic Clifton Beach lawn fight. While catching two fighting snakes may initially appear more challenging than catching one angry snake, this is not often the case. Fighting snakes are usually so focused on dominating each other that they hardly realise they are being caught until they drop into the bag. In this scenario, two snakes are better than one!

01.01.2022 When Patty from Speewah calls to say she has a big scrub python trying to get into her duck pen - she really means BIG. Measuring 5.1m in length and tipping the scales at a very respectable 27kg, this hungry scrub python could have cleared out the duck pen in one sitting. It is no wonder that 'Hot Chocolate' the flamboyant brown duck was in such a flap when I arrived the scene at 2:30am. The spectacular scrubby also had around 30 bush ticks attached to its head which were promptly removed by Cairns Snake Catcher and vet Dr Jack Shield. The large scrub python was then released back into the Barron Gorge National Park minus the blood sucking parasites.