Australia’s snake handler boom: why more people are learning to wrangle the world’s deadliest serpents

Australia is experiencing an unprecedented surge in professional snake handlers, driven by increasing encounters between humans and some of the planet’s most venomous reptiles. To understand this growing trend, Guardian Australia journalist Joe Hinchcliffe recently attended a specialized venomous snake handling course in Queensland, where participants learn to safely manage deadly species that could kill within minutes.

The training program, led by herpetologists Christina Zdenek and Chris Hay, has witnessed remarkable growth across the continent. “The number of snake catchers has exploded in Australia, and that’s in every Australian state,” explains Chris Hay. This boom isn’t coincidental—it reflects a critical environmental reality unfolding across the country.

While many people assume snake populations are increasing, the experts reveal a different truth. The real driver behind more frequent snake encounters is Australia’s rapidly expanding human population. As cities sprawl into natural habitats and suburban developments encroach on traditional snake territories, conflicts between humans and reptiles become inevitable. “Every year we hear about this increase in snake numbers. But the fact is it’s the increase in human population that is then catalysing this increase in snake interaction,” Hay notes.

This human-wildlife interface challenge requires skilled professionals who can safely relocate dangerous snakes without harming either the animals or nearby residents. The specialized training covers handling techniques for some of the world’s most lethal species, emphasizing both human safety and wildlife conservation. As Australia continues to develop, these snake handlers serve as crucial mediators in an increasingly complex relationship between urban expansion and native wildlife preservation.