Smitten by snakes: No, we are not Takathi…

Issued by Rian Viljoen

(Rian is an amateur herpetologist, and is always available for problematic reptile call-outs, shows, and just to talk reptiles on 083 306 3787)

AS a snake catcher and re-locator, I (and the majority of my peers and mentors) have been called many things, from one insane son-of-a-gun to a user of magic and contact and power over evil spirits and animals. Sadly, this is far from reality. To some, we as (amateur) herpetologists and reptile hobbyists seem to have magical powers over our serpentine friends, and often this is based around cultural and historical beliefs.

In African culture, there are two main “magic users”, namely, the Sangoma (who is generally considered benevolent), and the Takathi (who is the one who places curses, uses and transfigures into animals for evil intent, and is the all round “bad witch”). In Western culture, we just have witches and warlocks/wizards, and depending on history, maybe a potion-mixing druid.

Most, if not all of these, were attributed with special powers of control over man and animal. Then came the age of enlightenment, and many logically deduced that many superstitious beliefs may have been a good ploy to have power over one’s village and chief. Convenient, right? Sadly, an ingrained belief in many superstitions can still have a negative impact today.

People who rescue/capture and relocate problematic reptiles, ranging from Africa’s most feared snakes (Black Mamba, Puff Adder, and Mfezi to name a few) to two meter monitor lizards, that can rip you to pieces with their claws and teeth, are not specially charmed or magical practitioners… Unfortunately, popular TV shows on reptiles are also made for ratings, and often staged for action, excitement, with some old myths thrown in to up ratings.

In reality, we want to get the snake into a bag or box as quickly, and as stress-free as possible. We do not generally dance around with the snakes for half an hour, trying to dodge being bitten by a snake made angry by being held for so long. Generally, most of us also do not have the finances to have a full medical team on standby for accidents, and being bitten by a venomous snake can cost in excess of R250 000 in medical bills. Another reason to not try and kill the snake yourself, but to have a competent relocator remove it for you.

We are actually normal people, who are dedicated to our cause of saving not only reptiles, but most animals and people, from life-threatening situations. We put our lives on the line to drive, often far distances at our own costs, for a “big brown snake”. We often never know if the call we are on is going to be harmless or deadly, but like many other professions, we bravely walk into tiny storage rooms, cess pools, waist long grass, boiling mid-summer ceilings, and piles of rubble to keep you and your family safe, often at the possible cost of our lives.

A cornered Black Mamba is an awe and fear inspiring sight, and extremely dangerous for the catcher. One wrong move can mean the difference between a safe relocation, and a medical emergency. Many times we have to move and search cupboards, boxes, under and in beds, putting our hands in very precarious places, all for your safety and the safety of the animal needing to be removed.

So, next time you are watching a “snake show” on TV, or think that the chap who just removed a 1.5m Snouted Cobra from under your bath has magical powers, just remember, we are probably sweating bullets while we are doing it, but the only real magic we have to help us, is common sense, the right equipment and costly training (often being updated and revised), and a dedication to help not only the animals, but the humans who require our help as well. A tip towards costs is also a magical thing in this business, plumbers are less likely to be killed on a call out than someone relocating a possibly dangerous reptile at 2am, and plumbers (unlike us), are not likely to come out at 2am for a donation… ha ha ha…

If you have any interesting stories please send them to: estella@caxton.co.za or Contact us on: 034 981 39 30.

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