Native Animals

Hume’s location on the urban fringe means it is not uncommon to see native animals in our everyday life. Native animals are an important part of Hume’s natural heritage and are vital to the healthy function of our ecosystems.

Species such as snakes or magpies can be seen as intruding and a danger to us and our property. It is important however to remember that we need to coexist with wildlife. Under the Wildlife Act 1975, it is illegal to kill, harm or interfere with native animals without a permit.

Staying safe around snakes

 Hume is home to Eastern Brown, Red-bellied Black, Lowland Copperhead and Eastern Tiger Snakes. Snakes are more active in spring through to autumn, and will often seek warm places such as concreted surfaces to sunbake, near houses and infrastructure in parks and reserves. Snakes are also commonly seen near waterways and wetlands, in search of food such as frogs and lizards. For more information, read the Living with Wildlife - Snakes factsheet(PDF, 2MB).

When walking through areas such as parks and reserves, be aware that we share the space with protected wildlife such as snakes. Where possible, stay on paths and avoid walking in long grass, including your pets.

What to do if you see a snake in a public area or your property

  • Stay calm, do not panic. If you stand still the snake is not likely to hurt you
  • Do not approach or attempt to catch or kill the snake, as it will defend itself
  • When safe to do so calmly move away from the snake to a safe distance and keep it under observation if you decide to remain in the area
  • Keep children, pets and others away from the area containing the snake

While snake bites are rare, they do pose a serious health risk. All species of snakes found in Hume City are venomous. If you have been bitten by a snake call 000 immediately for emergency assistance.

Snakes can be a problem for your pets, but usually only if the pet attacks first. Anti-venom may be available from vets, if pets do get bitten, it is critical that pets are taken to a vet as soon as possible after an encounter with a snake.

Snake relocation service

Council may engage a professional snake handler to relocate snakes found on Council maintained land to suitable habitat nearby. Contact Customer Service via phone (not email) on 9205 2200 to report a snake on Council land.

If a snake handler is called to a location there may be time-lag between arriving on-site and there is no guarantee that the snake handler will locate the snake, as snakes tend to move around the landscape. There may be occasions when the snake handler is unavailable to attend the site. Even if a snake is removed from an area, it is likely that there are other snakes in the vicinity, so snake sightings may be a common occurrence in certain locations, such as waterways and wetlands.

If you do see a snake on Council maintained land, please remember to stay calm and move slowly away from the snake when safe to do so.  If you see a snake around your private residence, stay calm, move slowly away from the snake when safe to do so and keep children, pets and others away from the area.  If you would like to engage with a snake handler at your own expense,  contacts are available online, or through existing business directories advertising animal control services. 

View our fact sheets to help you learn about what to do if you spot a kangaroo, magpie, snake, possum, corella, cockatoo or fruit bat.

Report a wildlife emergency to Wildlife Victoria

Help Injured Wildlife

  • The Help for Injured Wildlife Tool has been developed by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning and will help you locate and contact the closest relevant wildlife carers and rehabilitation organisations to assist injured native wildlife in Victoria. 

Visit the Gardens for Wildlife page to find out how the free program supports households, schools and businesses in Hume to create wildlife-friendly gardens.

You can also download the fact sheet about farm dam restoration to create habitat for the Growling Grassfrog(PDF, 264KB).

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning have some great resources, including:

For more information contact Council's Sustainable Environment Department on 9205 2200.