Yellow-faced Whip Snake (Demansia psammophis) is a slender and mildly venomous snake species found in Australia, including the Sutherland Shire region.
Identification: The Yellow-faced Whip Snake is a slender snake with a distinctive appearance. It typically measures between 80 and 120 centimeters (31 to 47 inches) in length, with females usually being larger than males. The snake has a slender body with a long, whip-like tail. Its coloration varies, but it generally has a light grey body with a yellow or cream-colored face, giving it its common name. The belly is usually pale green or yellow.
Habitat: The Yellow-faced Whip Snake inhabits a range of environments, including forests, woodlands, plantations, and even urban areas. The snake is arboreal, meaning it spends a significant amount of time in trees and shrubs, but it can also be found on the ground.
Behavior: Yellow-faced Whip Snakes are diurnal, meaning they are active during the day. They are highly agile and arboreal, using their slender bodies and prehensile tails to navigate through trees with ease. They are known for their exceptional climbing abilities and swift movements. When threatened, they may try to escape or resort to defensive behaviors, such as hissing and displaying their open mouths to appear more intimidating. They are generally shy and non-aggressive towards humans.
Diet: The diet of the Yellow-faced Whip Snake consists mainly of small vertebrates, particularly lizards and tree frogs. It hunts by striking quickly and accurately, using its long body and well-developed eyesight to detect and capture prey. The snake has specialized teeth at the back of its mouth to grasp and hold onto its prey, as it typically swallows its prey alive.
Venom: The Yellow-faced Whip Snake is mildly venomous, but its venom is not considered dangerous to humans. The venom is primarily used to immobilize its prey rather than for defense. Bites from this snake usually result in mild symptoms, such as localized pain, swelling, and redness at the bite site. However, severe allergic reactions or individual sensitivities can occur, so medical attention should be sought if bitten.
If you encounter an Yellow-faced Whip snake or any snake in the Sutherland Shire area and require assistance, you can contact Tyler Gibbons at Shire Snake Wranglers. Here are the provided contact details:
Name: Tyler Gibbons
Phone number: 0428 458 856
Company: Shire Snake Wranglers
Snake Wranglers like Tyler Gibbons have expertise in handling and safely relocating snakes, ensuring both human safety and the welfare of the snakes. It's important to exercise caution and not attempt to handle or provoke a snake if you encounter one, and instead rely on trained professionals for assistance.
The Yellow-faced Whip Snake is the sixth most commonly encountered snake in the Sutherland Shire, primarily due to its adaptability to a variety of habitats, including urban areas, woodlands, and grasslands. This slender, agile snake is often found basking in the sun or hunting for small reptiles and amphibians, which are abundant in the region. Its presence in the Shire is also attributed to the availability of suitable shelter such as rocks, logs, and leaf litter, providing ideal conditions for both hunting and protection from predators. As a result, sightings of the Yellow-faced Whip Snake are relatively frequent, making it a notable species in the local snake-catching landscape.
Call us immediately! And if possible, try to maintain a visual of the snake - from a safe distance.
Safely attempt to contain the snake to an area of the house or property by closing doors, blocking gaps etc.
If possible, take a photo and/or record a video of the snake and text it to us (for identification purposes).
Most importantly, do not attempt to touch or catch the snake yourself! Please leave this to the professionals.
For urgent removal/callout, please click on the button below:
Alternatively, if you have a general question, or even some feedback, feel free to complete & submit the below form.
Yes, we are fully-licensed with the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service (NPWS).
Licence #MWL000103684
Absolutely not! It is extremely important that you do not attempt to catch the snake yourself. Please leave this to the professionals, to avoid any risk of being bitten and/or seriously injured.
No. Please keep small children and pets away from wherever you saw the snake in your home/property, until it has been safely captured.
If you have been bitten by a venomous snake, it is crucial to take immediate action! Here are some recommendations:
1. Stay Calm: Panicking increases your heart rate, which can cause the venom to spread quicker.
2. Seek Medical Attention: Call emergency services or go to the nearest hospital as soon as possible. Do not attempt to drive yourself!
3. Keep Bite Area Immobilized: Immobilizing the bitten limb can slow down the spread of venom to other parts of the body.
4. Remove Constrictive Items: Snakebite swelling can progress rapidly, so remove any constrictive items, such as; rings, bracelets, or tight clothing near the bite site.
5. Do Not Apply a Tourniquet: Contrary to popular belief, applying a tourniquet, or restricting blood flow, is not recommended and can cause more harm than good.
6. Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water! Avoid alcohol, caffeine, or other substances that can increase heart rate and blood flow.
7. Observe and Describe the Snake: If possible, try to remember the look of the snake that bit you. This information can help healthcare professionals determine the appropriate antivenom for treatment.
Yes, we do. The amount varies and is dependent on the date and time. However, we guarantee we are the cheapest snake catchers in the Sutherland Shire!