The peninsula reptile rescuer retrieved a 1.5-metre tiger snake from the garden of a Rosebud South home last week.

While the camera-shy snake made a few warning strikes at The Mail photographer's camera, Mr Goldsmith was quick to defend the species as normally docile and easygoing.

"He was very cute. Personally, I think tiger snakes have a beautiful face. They are my favourite snake because they are so easy going and good natured."

Mr Goldsmith, 47, of Mornington, is a security guard at night and professional snake catcher by day.

Although this snake, later released in the bush, was from the peninsula, Mr Goldsmith said he's often called to many areas in the south-east.

"These areas have tiger snakes and copperheads, which I often find in backyards and compost heaps."

But a recent Frankston callout was in a more urban environment. "A few months ago a girl in the sex shop in Young Street called to say she'd seen a snake crawling along the gutter and underneath a parked car.

"I waited for the car owner to return and asked him to drive up on the gutter so I could get underneath. But I didn't have to as the snake fell out."

The slithery character turned out to be a missing pet python that was reunited with its owner.

Barry Goldsmith can be be contacted on 0408 067 062.