All creature great and small, Nadia loves them all

HIGHVELD – “I do what I like, and like what I do,” were the words of Ms Nadia Erasmus, who is known for educating children and adults on reptiles.

However, reptiles are just a drop in the ocean when it comes to her love for all animals, big or small, slithery or fury, alive and dead.

When entering her farm one can sense peace and quiet, being away from all the hustle and bustle of town living, but at the same time enjoy all farm animals from clever pigs, sheep, horses, donkeys, ducks and much more. But one thing is clear, every animal is completely content and trusts Ms Erasmus.

The reason for this is that many of her animals had been rescued, or had just somehow ended up on her farm.

“My pig Miemmie Coertze is like my guard dog,” said Ms Erasmus.

Explaining each animal on the farm and how they ended up there, one can see she really loves all animals.

“I love animals so much I got myself a farm,” she laughed.

“When I was a child, my mom was always afraid to go into my room because I would hide insects, frogs or reptiles in my cupboards, until one day I was bitten by a snake and had gotten very ill. My parents then brought me my own corn snake which is not venomous and a scorpion.

Ms Erasmus is known to educate children at schools and shows but with the current lockdown and restrictions everything has been put on hold.

“I miss the interaction and educating children about reptiles. Some children actually teach their parents a thing or two about reptiles.

“Parents stop me in a shop and ask if what I had told their children about a certain reptile is true and I would say yes. This would make me happy because I know there are children who have been listening and been taking an interest.”

Although most reptiles were hibernating, some were eager to show off their slithering ways and hissed while others put up a sting.

Ms Erasmus takes joy in explaining their ability to camouflage or use of venom or sounds as a defense, this all while she shows off her tarantula that is bigger than both her hands put together.

Besides animals, Ms Erasmus also enjoys some relaxation and down time with arts, craft and her ZX10R motorcycle. She is the secretary for the Parrot Riders Club.

Ms Erasmus has an artistic side for painting on carcasses.

“I find carcasses and do art on them. I have had some harsh criticism as not many see it as art, but I enjoy painting and doing anything that comes to mind.

She showed off some of her recent artwork which is a torso of a woman made out of beer bottle caps as well as skulls molded out of toilet paper rolls. Besides being a safety officer, running a business and being a zumba instructor at a local gym, Ms Erasmus still finds time for TikTok.

“Everyone is doing fun stuff on TikTok, I am having fun with it,” ended Ms Erasmus.