Known to locals as the Deloraine snake catcher, Ben Hyde is a humble, community focused man who built his reputation not by showing off or chasing headlines, but through his dedication to public safety and a deep personal love for Tasmania’s snakes.
“I always wanted a pet snake when I was a kid,” Hyde says. “Obviously here in Tasmania, they’re all highly venomous, so we can’t have them and we can’t bring pythons in from the mainland”.
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That childhood curiosity grew into a calling. As a teenager, Hyde would follow snakes in the bush, a dangerous hobby he now warns others against. Eventually, he discovered a legal path through reptile rescue and completed a snake handling course, which granted him the necessary licence. “Once you do a snake handling course, then you’re legally allowed to touch them,” he explains.
Tasmania is home to just three species of snake: the white-lipped snake, the lowland copperhead, and the highly venomous tiger snake. Most of Hyde’s work involves safely removing these snakes from homes, gardens and sheds. And boats.
Last year, a group out fishing on Lake Barrington found themselves sharing their boat with an unexpected passenger. As they motored across the water, the boat passed over a tiger snake that was swimming through the lake. Instead of being struck by the outboard propeller, the snake managed to cling to the motor and slither its way on board. “The snake got caught on the motor and decided to climb into the boat with them,” Hyde says. The reaction was swift and unanimous. “Everyone piled out real quick!” What started as a quiet afternoon of fishing turned into a sudden evacuation, with the entire crew scrambling to the front of the boat before making a beeline for the shore.
Despite the drama of some rescues, Hyde is calm and methodical. He urges people to leave snakes alone and never try to catch or kill them. “That’s the best and quickest way to get bitten,” he says. “Your best bet is to stand as still as possible. That snake will just soon find its own way away from you”.
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He also reminds the public that harming snakes is illegal and carries serious penalties. “It is highly illegal to pick up a snake and of course to kill or injure it. If you are caught, you are looking at a prison sentence up to five years,” Hyde says. “And a $10,000 fine, but that may have increased”.
If someone is bitten, Hyde advises them to lie down immediately and stay still while waiting for emergency services. A pressure bandage should be applied if possible, but the most important thing is to avoid movement.
Hyde’s approach to his work is grounded in service rather than profit. While he typically charges a $60 callout fee, he is quick to waive it if someone is in need. “Sometimes I’ll even do it for free, to be honest. I’m not the best business operator,” he shares. “If you don’t have the money on you, don’t worry about that. Never let that be an issue. Let’s deal with the snake first”.
It is a quiet reflection of the kind of man Ben Hyde is. Someone who offers his time and skill not for money or reward, but out of a steady commitment to the safety of both people and wildlife.
