Ten Deadliest Snakes with Nigel Marven Season 1 Episode 4 South Africa
- July 10, 2014
- 43 min
In episode 4 of Ten Deadliest Snakes with Nigel Marven's first season, Nigel travels to South Africa to explore its deadly snake population. The episode starts with Nigel meeting up with herpetologist Johan Marais, who explains that South Africa has more venomous snakes than any other part of Africa.
The first deadly snake Nigel encounters is the Mozambique spitting cobra, known for its ability to spit venom into the eyes of its victims. Nigel watches as Johan handles one of these dangerous snakes with ease, explaining the importance of knowing how to handle them safely and effectively. The team also encounters the black mamba, one of the most deadly snakes in the world, whose venom can kill a human in less than an hour.
Next, Nigel and Johan travel to a game reserve to find the puff adder, a snake that blends in perfectly with the African bushveld. The puff adder delivers one of the most painful bites in the world of snakes due to the potency of its venom. Nigel and Johan use tongs to extract venom from the snakes to help develop antivenom to save human lives if they are ever bitten.
The episode also highlights the snake species that are responsible for the most bites and deaths in South Africa, the saw-scaled viper and the boomslang. Johan explains that these snakes are responsible for most fatalities because of the lack of antivenom available.
Nigel's journey continues with a visit to a local snake park where he encounters the Cape cobra, a highly venomous snake known for its aggression that is responsible for numerous human deaths. Johan and Nigel discuss how to avoid encounters with these deadly snakes and how to respond if someone is bitten.
Throughout the episode, Nigel and Johan stress the importance of conservation efforts to protect these species and their habitats. The team also highlights the importance of educating people on snake safety and the proper handling techniques to avoid being bitten.
As the episode draws to a close, Nigel reflects on his journey and what he has learned about the deadly snakes of South Africa. He leaves with a greater appreciation for these reptiles and the critical role they play in their ecosystems. The episode ends with Johan reminding viewers that, with proper education and respect, humans can safely exist alongside these awe-inspiring creatures.
Overall, episode 4 of Ten Deadliest Snakes with Nigel Marven season 1 is an enthralling journey through South Africa's deadly snake population, showcasing the beauty and danger of these creatures while emphasizing the importance of conservation and education.