THE SCALE OF OUR RESEARCH

The Victorian Reptile Necropsy Research 2026–2028

Dietary and Intestinal Parasites from Victorian Reptiles: Comparison between Disturbed and Undisturbed Habitats

Research Permit Number: 10011152

Read the research fact sheet · Download the PDF

This page includes photographs of deceased reptiles collected for research.

Objectives

We intend to perform necropsies and reveal ecological data including intestinal parasites and dietary preferences.

By comparing reptiles from disturbed and undisturbed habitats, the project will help us understand their diets and intestinal parasites.

Methodology

We intend to collect snakes and lizards that have sustained fatal injuries. When found, these specimens will be deceased or have been appropriately euthanised.

Place specimens in double bags with:

Location: property address or latitude and longitude
How the animal was injured
Date found or euthanised

The specimen must be kept in a freezer. Please contact Reptiles Victoria to arrange collection or a drop-off point. Volunteers and industry professionals are joining us to process these animals.

Contact the team first. Members of the public are not asked to euthanise animals or perform necropsies.

How you can help

Register with Reptiles Victoria as a Necropsy Collector and we will send you pre-labelled bags, information and a gift of thanks.

Report a roadkill or deceased reptile

Please call 0431 833 360 and SMS us a photo and a pin drop for the location.

How to label a specimen

Place the specimen in a ziplock bag and double-bag it.
Label the bag with the reptile’s details, location, cause of death and date found.
Contact us to organise collection or obtain drop-off details.

Frequently asked questions

How do I know if it is a good specimen?

The quality of roadkill specimens varies from season to season. In early spring, specimens could last up to 24 hours; from mid-spring to summer, they may only last a few hours. Use your best judgement and contact the team if unsure. Specimens may be intact or otherwise, but an overwhelmingly strong smell, excessive maggots or a clearly flattened specimen can indicate that it is unusable.

What is the most hygienic way to collect deceased reptiles?

Always use disposable gloves, sanitise your hands after handling a specimen and double-bag it. If no freezer is available, contact the team and take it promptly to an agreed drop-off location.

What if I’m not sure it’s deceased?

Call Wildlife Victoria or Reptiles Victoria immediately. Leave a large snake alone and call for help. For a lizard or turtle, report it to Wildlife Victoria on (03) 8400 7300 or Reptiles Victoria on 0431 833 360. If safe to do so, contain the lizard or turtle in a box or breathable bag and take it to your nearest vet.

Can I collect a dead snake on the road?

If you are not a licensed or registered volunteer, or do not have experience with snakes, call Reptiles Victoria on 0431 833 360 for assistance. Report the location with a map pin and your contact details so we can coordinate a pickup. Experienced collectors must avoid all contact with the head and take great care when placing a deceased snake into a box or bag off the road. Do not handle an injured venomous snake.

How do I collect off the road safely?

If in doubt, or if traffic or conditions are dangerous, never collect wildlife.

Pull over and use your hazard lights only where safe to do so.
Wear a high-visibility vest and protective gloves.
Exit the vehicle only when safe, checking for approaching traffic from every direction.
For a specimen you can safely collect, use an inverted collection bag to contain the animal and move off the road promptly.
Safely store the bagged specimen in your car and sanitise your hands.
Leave only when safe and store the reptile in a freezer.

I’ve got the reptile. What now?

Reptiles Victoria has 70 veterinary practices collecting on our behalf. Contact us to confirm a participating drop-off point, then take the specimen with its date, exact location and mode of death. Notify Reptiles Victoria of the drop-off location.

How do I share the location of the reptile?

Open Google Maps and mark the reptile’s exact location with a pin. Share that location with Reptiles Victoria. If you are at the location, the blue dot can help you locate yourself; make sure the pin identifies the specimen’s location.

Should I still report something I can’t collect?

Yes. A photo can be uploaded to iNaturalist or sent to Reptiles Victoria for record keeping and reporting the sighting. Even when a specimen cannot be collected, the species and location data are valuable.

What if my dog or cat has injured or killed a lizard or snake?

Report injured or deceased lizards to Reptiles Victoria or Wildlife Victoria. Seek veterinary advice for your pet if a confrontation with a snake has occurred. Report an injured or deceased snake to Reptiles Victoria or a licensed snake controller. Do not attempt to handle an injured venomous snake.

Contact the research team

0431 833 360 · admin@reptilesvictoria.org

Read the research fact sheet · Download the original PDF