Misunderstood snakes and poor public perception leading to unnecessary culls, say experts

Mr Ambrose, a snake catcher with Sydney Snake Catchers, said he would prefer not to have to catch snakes at all, and was keen to debunk myths about the reptiles leading into snake season.

"Fear is very, very powerful, and anatomical inaccuracy and physiological impossibility is very common [when people say they've seen a snake]. People exaggerate the size, colour and behaviour of the snake, and then I catch it and show it to them and it's nothing like what they described," he told the Gazette.

Mr Ambrose has been a professional snake catcher for over 10 years, and has been involved in the La Perouse Snake Show since 2013.

"[Fear of snakes] is one of the strongest phobias people have. We see a lot of non-venomous snakes being butchered beyond recognition, for 'just in case'," he said.

According to Mr Ambrose, snakes are "the most disadvantaged Australian animals" due to poor public perception of the critters.

"[Snakes'] fate is high mortality through direct involvement with humans. People are literally trying to get rid of as many as possible, and there's no benefits to that - snakes are very beneficial to ecology, otherwise they never would have evolved," he said.

Ms McReynolds, a Zoology degree-holder and research student at the University of New England, said humans hold "very negative perceptions and values" regarding snakes, leading to many snakes being killed out of fear and misunderstanding.

She said myths many of us were told as children, including that snakes will chase us, were not helping their cause.

"This has serious consequences for conservation. How do we get people to conserve animals if they don't like them or are scared?" she said.

Ms McReynolds said spreading the word that snakes were "wonderful and fascinating creatures" was key to changing public perception, and saving native species like the critically-endangered Broad-headed snake, which is threatened by habitat destruction and removal of bush rock.

"We would hate to lose this incredible snake from the Hawkesbury. Extinction is forever," she said.

Many of Australia's snakes are found nowhere else in the world, and like all native wildlife, are integral to a healthy ecosystem. Snakes play an important role in the food web as both prey for larger birds and as predators to smaller animals such as invasive mice and rats.

The Sydney basin is home to approximately 50 species of snake, some of which are small and inconspicuous, but it is the larger species like the red bellied black snake and brown snake that residents of the Hawkesbury will encounter during the breeding season. That is because they are on the move to find a mate and a meal.

"The sight of a large snake can be terrifying for some people, particularly if it is in your yard or home. But it is important to know that snake envenomation [poisoning by venom] in Australia is rare," said Ms McReynolds.

"On average, Australia has two deaths per year from snakebite. In comparison, Africa and the Middle East have between 7,300 to 32,195 deaths per year and Asia has approximately 57,600.

"The majority of deaths in Australia occur when a person attempts to handle or kill the snake therefore, the safest action when you see a snake is to leave it alone, and if you would like the snake removed, contact your local snake catcher. There is zero risk, if you leave it alone."

She said though many people feared that their pet cat or dog would be bitten and killed by a snake, more snakes were killed annually by domestic pets.

"It is estimated that pet cats kill 52.9 million reptiles per year including threatened species. The best management for this is, keep your pet cats inside 24/7. This is not only beneficial to our unique wildlife, but beneficial to the health and safety of your cat," Ms McReynolds said.

Mr Ambrose added that dogs provided a really good example of "what not to do" around snakes.

"There's a strong relationship between not being bitten by a snake and not interfering with a snake. Dogs - especially those off leads - are constantly interfering with snakes and getting bitten," he said, adding that people should keep their dogs on leads when out and about.

"What raises the occurrence of snake bites in people is viewing the snake as a risk and then approaching it. If you walk carefully around snakes then you'll never have a problem."