When white settlers arrived in Australia they found the bush teeming with snakes.
It is well documented that one settler knowing that there were no snakes in Ireland, actually brought out a ship load of Irish soil to put around his house in the hope that it would keep the snakes away. Apparently it didn’t work.

There are more than 100 types of snake in Australia and at least 18 are dangerous to people. The Blue Mountains is home to 19 snake species. The most common being the Red-bellied Black Snake (above). Although venomous, this species injects venom inefficiently and there has only been one recorded death from a black snake bite. These snakes are of most risk to children or to the elderly but rarely strike unless provoked.

Other dangerous snakes of the Blue Mountains include the Eastern Brown (above), the Tiger Snake, Copper head and the Death Adder (below). All are highly venomous.

Pythons such as the Diamond Python (below) may also be encountered. The diamond python which grows up to four metres in length is not venomous - but that doesn’t mean that they won’t bite!

 Blue Mountains Lizards

The Blue Mountains is home to 37 species of lizard. Some lizards in the Blue Mountains, particularly the blotched blue-tongued lizards (below) are easily caught, but please don’t try , as this will cause them unnecessary stress and even though they aren’t poisonous, they can still inflict a painful bite. The Blotched Blue Tongue is slightly smaller than its close relative the common Blue Tongue,   but is more robust.

The Eastern Water Dragon (below) is often seen basking in the sun near creeks and waterfalls in the Blue Mountains where it searches for insects and plant food.