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Australians Embrace Venomous Snake Handling as Removal Demand Soars
14 Nov
Summary
- Snake catching industry has grown tenfold in the last decade
- Over 17,000 snakes removed from Queensland properties annually
- Instructors aim to educate people to coexist with snakes, not just remove them
As of November 2025, Australia's snake catching industry has seen a dramatic surge, with the number of snake catchers growing tenfold over the past decade. In the Lockyer Valley west of Brisbane, the Australian Reptile Academy is running venomous snake handling courses, where participants are required to sign legal documents and learn to handle some of the world's most deadly snakes.
The rise in snake removals is largely attributed to the expansion of urban areas, which has put more people in close proximity to snake habitats. Researchers estimate that over 17,000 snakes are removed from properties in Queensland alone each year, a figure that barely scratches the surface of the nationwide problem.
