Geoff Coombe's Living with Wildlife

Australia's Most Dangerous Snakes

Snake Bite First Aid

Working with Snakes

‘Working with Snakes’ is a compendium of Geoff Coombe’s life-long passion to help people understand snakes and has culminated his knowledge in this ‘legacy’ book.

For many decades Geoff has been actively involved in public displays, community snake awareness sessions and training courses throughout Australia and overseas.

This Manual thoroughly explores the numerous facets about working with snakes, primarily the venomous species of Australia. It is relevant to a young enthusiast wanting to gain a better understanding of our snakes, all the way to seasoned snake handlers interested in expanding their repertoire.

Unlike other books about our snakes, this Manual is aimed at snakes in disturbed environments around Australian cities and towns, rural properties, isolated mining camps and national parks. It gives details about catching methods and issues associated with translocating snakes, as well as the all-important understanding of snake bite first aid.

The Manual has a strong thread relating to snakes in New Zealand; a country devoid of terrestrial snakes but requiring specialist people having the knowledge and experience to catch them when they enter the country through various ports.

In addition you can gain a great understanding by exploring the biology and ecology of snakes, how they interact with humans, and how to identify and rectify potential hazards around the property.

Profusely illustrated with photos, diagrams and references, ‘Working with Snakes’ by Geoff Coombe is a valuable resource for anyone with interest in our snakes.

268 pages. Price $79 plus $13 postage.

Working with Snakes - Geoff Coombe

Digital eBook available on
Amazon eBook

Living with Wildlife

After 30 years of presenting hundreds of talks, training courses, workshops and seminars to over 9000 people, Geoff Coombe has decided to retire on a “high note”. He will no longer be available for any events using live venomous snakes. However, he may still attend on occasions to help people understand his core philosophy of ‘living with snakes’, but without the use of live animals.

Government wildlife agencies in most Australian states and territories have called on Geoff to train their personnel, as have New Zealand government authorities.

Living with Wildlife partnered with Adelaide Snake Catchers to present at numerous training courses and public events each year like the Royal Adelaide Show, Adelaide Animal Expo and The World Environment Fair.

Enquiries about training courses or snake handling should be directed to your state or territory wildlife agency, internet searches or Facebook for more information.

Venomous Snake Handling Training - Living with Wildlife

About Geoff Coombe

Geoff Coombe, the principal of Living with Wildlife, has been actively involved with reptiles since the mid-1960s. He has had practical experience with venomous snakes since 1971 in both field environments and captive situations.

On 12 June 2023, he was recognised in the King’s Birthday Australian Honours with A Medal in the Order of Australia.

Geoff’s qualifications include:

  • Founding committee member of South Australian Herpetology Group, established in 1971.
  • In 1986 he co-founded Adelaide Snake Catchers with Rudy Della-Flora – believed to be the first non-profit community reptile removal & advisory service in Australia.
  • In 1988 he was one of the prime movers in initiating the venomous snake policies adopted by the South Australian Department for Environment & Heritage (National Parks & Wildlife).
  • At the Second World Congress of Herpetology in Adelaide (1993/4) he chaired the Wildlife Educators’ Narama: the First Australian Expo of Reptiles & Amphibians.
  • A faculty member of Clinical Toxinology Short Courses since their inception in 1997.
  • He has been a member of the South Australian Herpetology Group (State), the Australian Society of Herpetologists (National), the International Society on Toxinology and the Society for the Study of Amphibians & Reptiles (International)
Geoff Coombe - Living with Wildlife
  • "One of the best run and most interesting courses I have done in 25 years of NPWS employment."

    National Parks & Wildlife SA
  • "An excellent course which developed a high level of confidence in dealing with snakes physically, far exceeded my expectations. Highly recommended."

    Western Australian Department of Conservation & Land Management
  • "The improved understanding of potential snake behaviour has instilled team confidence. One member of the team believes that his life-time fear of snakes has been put in perspective as respect rather than fear."

    Torrens Island Power Station
  • "After attending one of your courses three years ago at Jervis Bay National Park I realized that you had the ability to change peoples' attitudes and beliefs when it comes to fear of snakes. I was heartened to see that attitudes changed to the point where the participants actually felt an empathy for snakes."

    Bookmark Biosphere Reserve
  • "It was highly educational, insightful and enlightening - would be good for all Australians. Your approach to overcoming people's anxieties worked very well."

    Australian Capital Territory Parks &Conservation Service
  • "I now have a new respect for snakes. Thank you for building my confidence to work with venomous snakes when required in my work."

    Department of Environment & Conservation, WA
  • "Thoroughly enjoyed the course, the pace and content of the course was pitched just right. Breaking down the misconceptions surrounding snakes was a vital part for me. Would not change a thing."

    New Zealand Ministry of Agriculture & Forestry
  • "I attended this course with a great fear of snakes. While I still fear them I have a lot better understanding of their ways and habits and a lot more respect. An excellent course."

    BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance, QLD
  • "Initially I thought that 3 days would be too long but in reality it is possibly not long enough to cover other aspects that interests me - such as advanced techniques of restraint."

    Hamilton Island Resort, QLD
  • "The end result was a course that provided wonderful material that will be extremely useful in my job - allowing me to perform my duties with a greater awareness and with confidence and safety".

    Queensland Parks & Wildlife Service
  • "I particularly enjoyed the challenging aspects to the course. Great introduction to handling and would like to attend a more comprehensive course. Big confidence builder".

    Energy Resources of Australia, NT
  • "Snake awareness seminar was an excellent knowledge sharing about the snakes found around the world as well as Pakistan".

    BHP Billiton, Zamzama Gas Field, Pakistan
  • "The presenters always had our safety in mind. This was the most amazing course I have ever attended. I have a greater respect for snakes. The course was also fantastic for my personal development as I successfully achieved things that initially scared me".

    Department for Environment & Heritage, SA
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