Johan Marais

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Johan Marais

Postby TJ&ACP » Thu Mar 07, 2013 8:51 am

Does one have news on Johan Marais? I have not seen any post on the forum this far.
As a general rule, the more we learn about snakes and their ways, the less fear we have of them. This is usually not so with the Mamba.
The more one learns of his ways, the greater grows the dread of him.
He, without doubt, is the King of Snakes in South Africa.
For quickness, aggressiveness, and the deadly nature of his venom, he has no equal.
F. W. FITZSIMONS, 1912
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Re: Johan Marais

Postby Bushviper » Thu Mar 07, 2013 9:17 am

I am sure if anything has gone downhill we will be informed. So far he seems to be fine and is just being observed.
It is easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.

Those who are afraid to ask are ashamed of learning.
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Re: Johan Marais

Postby TJ&ACP » Thu Mar 07, 2013 9:26 am

Thanks Arno
As a general rule, the more we learn about snakes and their ways, the less fear we have of them. This is usually not so with the Mamba.
The more one learns of his ways, the greater grows the dread of him.
He, without doubt, is the King of Snakes in South Africa.
For quickness, aggressiveness, and the deadly nature of his venom, he has no equal.
F. W. FITZSIMONS, 1912
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Re: Johan Marais

Postby Blake » Thu Mar 07, 2013 9:51 am

What happened to Johan?
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Re: Johan Marais

Postby bradmiller » Thu Mar 07, 2013 10:32 am

He got bitten by a puff adder.
You know, you can touch a stick of dynamite, but if you touch a venomous snake it’ll turn around and bite you and kill you so fast it’s not even funny.
- Steve Irwin - The Crocodile Hunter
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Re: Johan Marais

Postby Blake » Thu Mar 07, 2013 10:35 am

Thanks
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Re: Johan Marais

Postby TJ&ACP » Thu Mar 07, 2013 10:40 am

I have received a SMS from Johan stating that he is OK, no further details are known.
As a general rule, the more we learn about snakes and their ways, the less fear we have of them. This is usually not so with the Mamba.
The more one learns of his ways, the greater grows the dread of him.
He, without doubt, is the King of Snakes in South Africa.
For quickness, aggressiveness, and the deadly nature of his venom, he has no equal.
F. W. FITZSIMONS, 1912
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Re: Johan Marais

Postby Westley Price » Thu Mar 07, 2013 10:40 am

I wish him a speedy recovery.

A Puffy is probably the lesser of a few evils when it comes to highly venomous snakes in South Africa, so he is lucky in that sense.

Let this be a warning to all of us; if Johan, who is a veteran in this hobby (keeping and herping) can get bitten, anyone can be next!
"I am dying by inches from not having anybody to talk to about insects." - Charles Darwin
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Re: Johan Marais

Postby Jamster » Thu Mar 07, 2013 11:27 am

There are others who are more experienced than Johan, make no mistake, he is good at what he does though.

What intrigues me is where he was tagged? Was he tagged on the foot or the leg? If so why was he not a safe distance from the animal? If he was tagged in the hand or the arm, why were these body parts anywhere near the animal?

I agree with Westley that he is "lucky" in a sense, as it was a puffy and not an elapid or another potent indigenous. But how do you manage to get tagged by a puffie when handling one properly? And during a venemous handling course aswell.

Sorry if Im being a pesimist but I feel as though no one really knows what happened or nobody wants to disclose what actually happened.

Glad he is doing well and hope he has a speedy recovery.

Regards
James
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Re: Johan Marais

Postby Lillypod » Thu Mar 07, 2013 11:41 am

Accidents happen... Some cannot be afforded, but things happen. I'm not going to break my head about it...
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Re: Johan Marais

Postby Warren Klein » Thu Mar 07, 2013 12:03 pm

It's very easy for things to go wrong while necking any viper as they have long movable fangs and you are only safe by a few millimeters anyway. Not saying this was how it happened with Johan, but this is often how snake handlers get bitten by Puff adders. I hope he recovers well and does not have any permanent damage.
An inaccurate naturalist is a pest and a danger, forever perpetuating illogical deductions and landing later naturalists in trouble. Damm and blast them all to hell in the most painful way. C.J.P. Ionides
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Re: Johan Marais

Postby michael » Thu Mar 07, 2013 12:04 pm

Venomous snakes are unpredictable and accidents happen any experienced herper will tell you that fact. He is known to be a good and cautious handler, passing judgement is pointless. If he was one of our free handling friends then yes I guess you could say I told you so.
I also wish him a speedy recovery and many more years building on the good work he has already done.
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Re: Johan Marais

Postby gino » Thu Mar 07, 2013 12:19 pm

Johan is fine. I saw him last night and he was in pain. Swelling was not bad at all and no anti venom was needed.

I understand that he put the snake down on the ground and it launched towards him and bit him through the shoe.

I will ask him if i can post a pic later.
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Re: Johan Marais

Postby Jamster » Thu Mar 07, 2013 12:25 pm

There is no need to neck vipers, unless it is absolutely neccessary, but certainly not in a handling course. Dont misinterpret, I am not saying he was.
1.0-reticulated python (Ripcord)
1.1-burmese pythons
5.5-brown house snakes
1.0-taiwanese ratsnake
3.8-BCI
1.1-corn snakes
1.2-rhombic skaapstekers
1.0-yellow rat snake
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Re: Johan Marais

Postby TJ&ACP » Thu Mar 07, 2013 1:01 pm

Thank you Gino for the information asked, Jamster thank you for you opinion but this was not ask for, as this can happen to any one of us that do have (handle) venomous snakes and as a small community we need to be sympathetic towards one another.
As a general rule, the more we learn about snakes and their ways, the less fear we have of them. This is usually not so with the Mamba.
The more one learns of his ways, the greater grows the dread of him.
He, without doubt, is the King of Snakes in South Africa.
For quickness, aggressiveness, and the deadly nature of his venom, he has no equal.
F. W. FITZSIMONS, 1912
User avatar
TJ&ACP
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