John Cann

John Cann OAM – The Last Snake Man

Local legend John Cann is best known for being the last Snake Man of La Perouse. Along the way, he has earnt a global reputation as an authority on snakes and turtles, publishing scientific books, identifying new species and travelling the globe to speak as a guest herpetologist. But did you know that apart from the snakes he competed at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, as a decathlete (placing 10th). He was an accomplished footballer representing at state level and a talented boxer. Read on to learn more about this talented and accomplished man.

Born to parents Essie and George Cann, John Cann was born on 15 January 1938, whilst his family were living in the Watchtower at La Perouse. At the time, the colonial tower building, built in the times of Governor Macquarie, had a domestic ‘extension’ around the base. In 1957, this additional surrounding structure, was destroyed in a tragic fire. We can assume that the Cann family were residing here when John was born, for convenient proximity to the snake pit. John’s father, George Cann Snr, was already performing his routine with some of Australia’s most deadly reptiles. John has told us that his mother ‘gave up the pit’ when her children came along because she felt that if her husband was bitten by a snake and perished at least her children would have one parent! John Cann was an athletic young man who excelled at any sport he attempted. Widely regarded as a sporting prodigy by the early 1950s, Cann was 1952 Australian All-Schools U-14 Champion in the 100 and 220 yards, won the 1954 Australian Sub-Junior titles in the 100 and 440 yards, and was 1955 Australia Junior Champion at 220 yards. Before and after competing at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, at the age of 17, John was still playing league at representative level for NSW.  In 1960 he broke his neck whilst playing, admitting from his hospital bed that he was ‘very lucky to be alive’. Remember that this is a man who has also survived five venomous snake bites throughout his life!

John's football and athletic career were hampered by injury. He worked a day job too, whilst quietly raising his own family with his wife. The backyard at his home was full of creatures of the reptilian variety. This must have been a source of great intrigue for his children and their friends. The responsibility of the Snakeman Shows at ‘the Pit’ at La Perouse became John’s alone once his brother George Jnr died in 2001. The two brothers had taken over the show after their father’s death in the 1960s. This was a tradition that the Cann Family inherited from a series of early twentieth century snake men. The show capitalised on the tourism of weekend day-trippers to La Perouse from across Sydney, who came for the scenic beauty, The Timbery Boomerang Shop, the unique shell art of the La Perouse women and the snakes. The show at the La Per pit always had an important educative component.  The Cann family snake men taught the audience about the reptiles and what to do in the instance of being bitten. Life Saving information for Australians.

In 1992 John Cann received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition of services to the community. In 1997, John helped Steve Irwin verify a new species of turtle that Steve and his father discovered, which is now known as Irwin's Turtle. John also has a species of turtle named after him for his lifetime of work with the freshwater turtles of Australia. To the scientific community it’s called Chelodina canni, but also known as Cann's snake-necked turtle.

During the torch relay for the Sydney 2000 Olympics, John Cann helped carry the flame in through the City of Randwick. In 2010 John Cann allowed Lionel Bowen Library to display some of his extensive collection of heritage materials he has acquired over time – including the Soviet Union flag he souvenired during the 1956 Olympics.  This exhibition was a celebration of the final snake show at La Perouse in 2010. On Sunday 18 April 2010, record crowds of well-wishers packed around the pit and saw the quintessential showman farewelled by the local politicians of the day, Peter Garrett and Michael Daley along with hundreds of well-wishers. The snakes didn’t seem to mind the fuss! By this point John had been performing for over 45 years in the tradition of his father George Cann. John’s brother George Jnr also carried the show for many years in tandem with John.

John would travel to rural and remote locations across Australia with his father and brother collecting snakes and identifying other species of reptiles. The body of knowledge that John has created in this field is a scientific endeavour is beyond repute. All from a man with no formal background in this field of endeavour. John Cann was jointly awarded the inaugural, globally recognised, Peter Pritchard Award in 2020 for a lifetime devoted to Australian turtles and their identification and conservation. It is this award that John rates as his highest public achievement. Beyond all Olympic and sporting accolades. John’s cheeky trademark catch cry ‘snakey snakey’ is emblematic of his humorous, quick-witted nature. He is a humble and generous man who is measured, considerate and happy to share knowledge and expertise. 
He still lives – not far from where he was born. Testament to his love for this part of the City of Randwick and its humble traditions and history.

He is a figure that looms large in the historic narrative, of our city and Australia.

Oral History
Listen to John Cann interviewed by ABC journalist Richard Fidler on the program, Conversations (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
 
Select bibliography from the Randwick City Library Collection (2025);

Cann, John. Australian Freshwater Turtles (1998)
Cann, John, & Sadlier, Ross A. Freshwater Turtles of Australia (2017 rev. ed of Australian Freshwater Turtles) Revised edition held by Randwick City Library
Cann, John. Historical Snakeys (2014)
Cann, John & Thomson, Jimmy. The last Snakeman: the remarkable true-life story of an Aussie legend and a century of snake shows. (2018)
Cann, John. The Snake men of La Perouse: a short history of the Cann Family snake show (2010)
Cann, John. Snakes Alive!: Snake experts and antidote sellers of Australia (1986, Rev Ed. 2001)
Cann, John. Tortoises of Australia (1978)
Smith, Keith. Johnny Cann: Nature Boy, Vols 1-2. (2012)