Harley Jones is the experienced reptile handler behind Snakes in the City. He has been professionally catching and relocating snakes for more than ten years, developing practical expertise in snake identification, safe scene management, specialist handling and humane relocation.
Professional experience built on real Sydney call-outs
Snake removal is not a task that can be reduced to one technique. A snake in a family garden presents different hazards from one in a roof space, hotel, strata complex, warehouse or school. Harley’s experience across varied Sydney properties helps him assess the species, access points, people nearby and safest way to control the scene before handling begins.
That experience includes routine residential work and unusual jobs involving difficult heights, busy commercial settings and reptiles in confined spaces. The aim remains consistent: protect people and pets, minimise stress to the animal and complete a safe, lawful relocation.
Formal reptile-handling training since 2015
Harley completed a Snake Relocation and Awareness Course in March 2015. The training covered venomous snakes, non-venomous snakes and other reptiles, adding structured handling and safety knowledge to his field experience. He has continued to build on that foundation through further training and years of professional work.
In New South Wales, catching and releasing reptiles from homes and backyards requires an appropriate biodiversity conservation licence and is subject to strict conditions. Harley operates under NSW General Licence MWL000102655. Snakes in the City also approaches every call-out with the understanding that native reptiles are protected wildlife, not pests to be harmed.
What Harley brings to a call-out
- More than a decade of professional snake-catching experience.
- Formal training in venomous and non-venomous snake relocation.
- Practical snake and reptile identification skills.
- Calm scene control around families, pets, staff and the public.
- Specialist equipment and humane handling methods.
- Clear advice about immediate safety and property conditions.
A calm, safety-focused response
Finding a snake can be confronting, particularly when children, pets or customers are close by. Harley keeps instructions simple: move people and animals away, avoid cornering the snake and watch it from a safe distance if possible. On arrival, he evaluates the immediate risk before selecting equipment and an approach suited to the species and location.
Professional handling also reduces the chance of a resident being bitten while attempting a capture. Never touch or strike at a snake. If the animal disappears, remember the last place it was seen and call Harley on 0411 103 488 for practical guidance.
Featured by Willoughby Living
A 2021 Willoughby Living profile explored Harley’s lifelong interest in reptiles and the path that led him into professional snake catching. It describes an early fascination with snakes, learning from respected Australian herpetologist Graeme Gow as a teenager, and the varied reality of responding to Sydney call-outs. The feature offers independent background on the person behind the service and the experience he brings to local properties.
Professional snake removal across Greater Sydney
Snakes in the City assists homes, strata properties, businesses and community sites throughout the service area. If you need urgent snake identification or safe removal, keep your distance and call Harley directly on 0411 103 488.
Sources and further reading: NSW Government – reptile catch-and-release licences · Willoughby Living – Meet Harley Jones, Snake Catcher