Snakes in Dubai
Serpentes
Free DM service · 24 hours- Size
- Varies widely; many local species under 1 m
- Moves
- Slithers
- Bites or stings
- Bites
- Season
- All year
- Where you'll see them
- Garden, Outdoors
What to do now
- Keep everyone, especially children and pets, well away; do not try to catch or kill it
- Watch where it goes from a safe distance and close doors to the house
- Call Dubai Municipality on 800900; if someone is bitten, call 999 immediately
Short answer
- Sightings are mostly in villa communities near open desert. Do not try to catch or kill a snake; keep people and pets away and call the Municipality on 800900.
- Treated as a poisonous pest: the Municipality's stated response is within 24 hours (Khaleej Times, Nov 2024).
Signs of snakes
- Sightings in garages, gardens and near irrigation
- Shed skins
- Tracks in sand
If someone is bitten, call 999 immediately.
Does Dubai Municipality treat snakes for free?
Treated as a poisonous pest: the Municipality's stated response is within 24 hours (Khaleej Times, Nov 2024). Read how the free service works.
Flats and villas
| Home | What's different |
|---|---|
| Flat | Snakes are rarely seen in apartment buildings; a sighting in a car park or ground-floor garden should be reported to building security and the Municipality. |
| Villa | In villa communities near open desert, snakes may shelter in garages, gardens and near irrigation, so keep these areas clear. |
How to keep them out
- Keep gardens tidy and clear piles of stones, wood and rubble
- Seal gaps under garage and garden doors
- Keep bins closed, since rodents attract snakes
- Check around irrigation and shaded corners before reaching in
- Keep grass and shrubs trimmed near the house
Guides that cover snakes
Questions people ask
Who do I call about a snake in my Dubai garden?
Call Dubai Municipality on 800900. Snakes are treated as poisonous pests, with a stated response within 24 hours.
What should I do if someone is bitten by a snake?
Call 999 immediately and keep the person still and calm. Do not try to catch the snake; for a pet, go to a vet straight away.
Where are snakes seen in Dubai?
Reported sightings have mostly been in villa communities near open desert, such as Jumeirah Park and Emirates Living in 2019 news reports.
General information only. If you hire a company, check it is on Dubai Municipality's approved list, and ask for written safety instructions before treatment.