Snake Species Found in Parramatta

Why Are There So Many Snakes in Parramatta? A Complete Local Analysis

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Parramatta is often called the beating heart of Western Sydney. With its growing skyline, major transport hubs, and booming business district, it may not seem like a place where snakes would thrive. But beneath the glass towers and busy streets lies a hidden truth — Parramatta is surrounded by bushland, waterways, and natural corridors that make it one of the region’s most active snake zones.

For residents, snake sightings can be both alarming and fascinating. From a Diamond Python sunning itself near Lake Parramatta to a Red-Bellied Black Snake sliding through wetlands near Duck River, encounters are surprisingly common. To understand why, we need to look closely at the region’s geography, environment, and human impact.

Geographical and Environmental Drivers of Snake Activity
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📍 Bushland Reserves and Natural Spaces
Parramatta is unusual in that despite its urban density, it has many large bushland reserves within a short drive:

Lake Parramatta Reserve – 73 hectares of bushland habitat for snakes, lizards, and frogs. Red-Bellied Black Snakes are commonly seen near the water’s edge.

Parramatta Park – A mix of open fields, riverbanks, and tree groves where snakes hunt rats and birds.

Cumberland State Forest (West Pennant Hills) – The only metropolitan state forest in Sydney, rich with native snakes like Golden-Crowned Snakes and Tree Snakes.

Bidjigal Reserve (North Rocks) – Sandstone ridges and creeks create perfect hunting and shelter grounds for pythons and smaller species.

Bicentennial Park and Homebush Wetlands – Close to Parramatta’s eastern edge, these wetlands are ideal for Red-Bellied Black Snakes and Tiger Snakes.

💧 Waterways and Corridors
The Parramatta River is the lifeblood of the region. Along with Toongabbie Creek, Duck River, Darling Mills Creek, and multiple stormwater drains, these waterways act as “wildlife highways” that snakes use to move through the city.

Red-Bellied Black Snakes thrive in these moist environments.

Diamond Pythons hunt along the riverbanks where rat populations are high.

Even Eastern Brown Snakes use drier corridors such as industrial land near railways.

🌿 Suburban Greenery
Backyards in Oatlands, Dundas, Carlingford, and Winston Hills often back onto bushland. Features like compost heaps, sheds, wood piles, and ponds provide shelter and food sources for snakes.

🌡 Climate and Weather Patterns
Western Sydney, including Parramatta, regularly experiences higher summer temperatures than coastal suburbs. This drives peak snake activity from late spring through early autumn.

Spring: Mating season – snakes travel further and are more visible.

Summer: High activity; snakes enter homes, garages, and sheds seeking shade.

Autumn: Feeding intensifies before winter slowdown.

Winter: Brumation in roof spaces, hollow logs, and sandstone crevices.

Suburbs in Parramatta Where Snakes Are Common
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While snakes can turn up anywhere in Parramatta, some suburbs see more sightings due to bushland and water access:

North Parramatta & Lake Parramatta: High numbers of Red-Bellied Black Snakes, Diamond Pythons, and Common Tree Snakes.

Oatlands & Dundas: Larger backyards, bush edges, and rat populations attract Diamond Pythons.

Carlingford & North Rocks: Rocky bushland and reserves favour Eastern Browns, Golden-Crowned Snakes, and Broad-Headed Snakes.

Guildford & Granville (Duck River corridor): Known for Red-Bellied Black Snakes and Tiger Snakes.

Winston Hills & Constitution Hill: Snake sightings in gardens and schools due to nearby creeks and green spaces.

Silverwater & Rosehill (industrial zones): Eastern Brown Snakes and Yellow-Faced Whip Snakes often appear in yards and warehouses.

Snake Species Found in the Parramatta Area
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Based on relocation trends across Sydney’s west, the following species are most commonly found in and around Parramatta:

🐍 Red-Bellied Black Snake – Highly venomous but not aggressive unless provoked. Strongly associated with wetlands, creeks, and rivers.

🐍 Diamond Python – Harmless constrictor, often seen in roofs, sheds, and trees. Beneficial for rat control in suburbs like Oatlands and Dundas.

🐍 Common Tree Snake – Non-venomous, fast, and often mistaken for more dangerous snakes. Known for turning up in bathrooms, garages, and gardens.

🐍 Golden-Crowned Snake – A shy, nocturnal snake that hides under mulch and leaf litter. Seen more in bush-adjacent suburbs like North Rocks.

🐍 Eastern Brown Snake – Extremely venomous. More likely in drier, open areas such as industrial estates and railway corridors.

🐍 Yellow-Faced Whip Snake – Small, fast, and mildly venomous. Frequently seen basking in sunny suburban backyards.

🐍 Eastern Tiger Snake – Found near wetlands and creeks. Rare but dangerous when encountered, often along Duck River and Bicentennial Park.

🐍 Broad-Headed Snake – A threatened sandstone specialist, sometimes recorded in the rocky reserves around North Rocks.

🐍 Brown Tree Snake – Arboreal, mildly venomous, and often entering roofs or sheds at night while hunting birds or geckos.

Why Snakes Are Thriving in Parramatta
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1️⃣ Bushland Integration – Patches of bushland are directly connected to backyards, creating natural overlap.

2️⃣ Prey Abundance –

Rats and mice thrive in urban and industrial areas, attracting pythons and brown snakes.

Frogs and skinks draw in Red-Bellied Black Snakes and Tree Snakes.

Bird populations provide food for arboreal species like Brown Tree Snakes.

3️⃣ Human Influence – People unintentionally make their properties attractive to snakes by leaving:

Piles of timber and corrugated iron.

Outdoor pet food, attracting rats.

Bird aviaries or chicken coops, which attract snakes hunting eggs or chicks.

4️⃣ Seasonal Flooding and Storms – Heavy rain often forces snakes out of creeks and drains, leading to more sightings in homes and garages.

5️⃣ Legal Protections – All snakes in NSW are protected under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016, meaning populations remain stable despite urban expansion.

The Ecological Role of Snakes in Parramatta
Snakes are essential to the balance of Parramatta’s environment:

Natural Rodent Control: Diamond Pythons and Eastern Browns keep rat and mouse numbers in check, reducing disease risk.

Frog and Lizard Population Balance: Prevents overpopulation in wetlands and backyards.

Ecosystem Indicators: A healthy snake population signals strong biodiversity and functioning natural systems.

Without snakes, Parramatta would experience unchecked rat infestations, greater spread of disease, and ecological collapse in wetland food chains.

Safety Advice for Parramatta Residents
✅ Yard Maintenance: Keep grass short, trim overhanging branches, and clear away rubbish piles.
✅ Seal Entry Points: Fit draught excluders, seal garage doors, and use mesh on drains and vents.
✅ Manage Water Sources: Keep ponds clean, avoid stagnant water, and fix dripping taps that attract frogs.
✅ Supervise Pets: Cats and dogs often encounter snakes — keep them away from bush edges.
✅ Awareness Outdoors: Wear closed shoes in long grass, and always carry a torch at night.
✅ Stay Calm: If you see a snake, back away slowly. Do not try to kill or capture it.

Professional Snake Removal in Parramatta
Snake encounters in Parramatta are more common than many residents realise. The safest response is always to contact a licensed catcher.

📞 Shire Snake Wranglers – 24/7 Parramatta & Sydney Snake Catchers
For fast, professional, and humane snake removals, call 0428 458 856 any time, day or night.

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