Jason Arnold, a passionate reptile enthusiast and snake handler from Durban North, has been celebrated as a hero in his community. With an impressive 26 years of experience, Arnold’s love affair with reptiles began when he was just 14-years-old.
“It’s not only my passion for these voiceless reptiles that has kept me doing this, I also think that it is what I was born to do and God isn’t ready to allow me to give it up, just yet,” Arnold said.
Throughout his career, Arnold has rescued thousands of snakes, including some particularly memorable encounters. “The Black Mamba that fell onto my chest high up a tree at Aggrizone near the King Shaka Airport and the Black Mamba I caught extremely high up a tree in the Westville area, where the fire department arrived to help me get down the tree,” he recalled.
Arnold’s extensive experience has equipped him to handle a wide variety of snake species, including Black Mambas, Green Mambas, Mozambique Spitting Cobras, Forest Cobras, Puff Adders, Boomslang, and many others.
When encountering a snake, Arnold advises the public to exercise caution. “Remove pets from the area and keep them away. Observe the snake from a distance and do not interfere with it, as interference can lead to bites.” He also warns against posting pictures and videos on social media, as this can lead to misinformation.
Instead, Arnold recommends sending photos or videos to his “Snakes of Durban” Facebook page, where a team of experienced administrators can provide accurate identification and advice.
Arnold emphasised that it is impossible to determine whether a South African snake is venomous or harmless simply by looking at its physical characteristics. “These ‘rules’ don’t apply to South African snakes,” he said.
For accurate identification, Arnold stresses the importance of seeking advice from experienced professionals. “If you want to know what snake it is, take a photo or video and send it to me or any other experienced snake handler.”
