Rocky the world famous "lumpy" snake has been stolen, leaving his owner fearing the animal's release into the wild as he also comes to terms with a permanent injury.

Reptile handler Bruce Press shot to fame when he discovered Rocky, a tiger snake with a rare genetic condition, at a property on Tasmania's east coast.

The condition Charcot's disease caused marble-sized lumps to form along the snake's spine.

Mr Press, who works as a snake expert at Reptile Rescue Tasmania, revealed Rocky was stolen from his Swansea property two weekends ago.

He said he hoped thieves had not released Rocky into the wild.

"The snake could not be re-released because it's not allowed to breed now it has that disease, it could pass it on, so I hope whoever stole it does not release it," he said.

"It's a shame with the snake, because the scientific people were wanting to take all kinds of tests from it."

In another blow, Mr Press faces losing his finger after being bitten by a different tiger snake about a week ago.

He said he has been scheduled for surgery that would see him lose at least part of one index finger.

"The extensive damage is so much that they're going to amputate half that finger," he said.

"Losing a finger, that's very valuable for having around when you need to catch a snake, I can assure you.

"I don't know the outcome until of course I have surgery and just see how I go minus a finger or minus half a finger."