We’re gearing up for two weeks of being snake-charmed by SA’s Snake Rescuer, Nick Evans!
Durban (12 October 2025) – Snakes tend to get a bad rap. For many of us, the sight of one is enough to send us bolting. But they aren’t out to get us. They’re just trying to live, find food, and stay out of trouble. Having a healthy awareness and respect for them is a good thing.
Thanks to Slithering Legends on People’s Planet, we’re going to get a chance to see them in their glory – fascinating, important, and more misunderstood than most animals out there.
From 13 – 26 October 2025, People’s Planet is dedicating two full weeks to snakes with Slithering Legends. We’ll get brand-new episodes of Snake Season (back for its third season) and Reptile Adventures, plus nonstop marathons, fillers on how to identify snakes, and unforgettable snake encounters.
In the heat of the action is Durban’s own Nick Evans.
He’s the guy who’s made a name out of slipping into roofs, cupboards, and storerooms to carefully remove everything from black mambas to harmless bush snakes. What sets Nick apart isn’t just his skill with snakes, but his love for them.
Growing up, Steve Irwin was his hero. Now, Evans is a reptile expert in his own right, known across SA for his work in capturing snakes and relocating them to safety.
“My hope is to educate others about snakes, and show them a true reflection of what they’re really like! In this upcoming season, I’d like to spark the understanding that snakes, big or small, non-venomous or venomous, just want to be left alone, and messing around with them is most often when things go awry. It’s best to leave snakes alone, view them from a distance, and/or phone a snake remover. There is a particular snake that appears in a few episodes, which needed careful veterinarian assistance. I believe people could empathise with her,” says Nick.
Even still, being a snake catcher requires equal parts courage and calm. Some snakes are lethally dangerous and require careful handling. Panic can result in a snakebite, and so the zen art of snake-catching has become one Evans has mastered.
“Experience has taught me everything. I know that panic doesn’t help. Remaining calm allows me to stay focused and keep safe while still capturing a snake. Now and then, a close-call gives me a fright, or being high off the ground makes me a tad nervous! I have to try very hard to stay calm in such moments,” says Nick.
Two of the many misconceptions about snakes, according to Nick, are that they actively seek to harm humans, and that they can be effectively repelled. Busting these myths is an important part of advocating for snakes.
“They have no desire to kill people. Snakes know conflict with people, who are far larger than them, is very dangerous. They’re terrified of us. They are only interested in finding food, shelter, and in mating season, males search for females,” Nick says.
There’s also no foolproof method in keeping them away from your home, he says. Many of the so-called ‘solutions’ just don’t work, and can sometimes pose a risk to the environment.
“People go through lengths to keep snakes away. Jeye’s Fluid is most commonly used, as are commercial repellents, particular plant species, and when a snake is seen, tyres are burnt. None of these work. There is no snake repellent. It’s Africa, there are snakes, and unfortunately, no full-proof method of keeping them away. The best one can do is call an expert for removal and keep the property neat and tidy, free from piles of clutter, messy storerooms etc.”
Beyond that, we should all work on educating ourselves about snakes. Snake Season is a good place to start.
There’s a new face joining the crew for Season 3. Joining Evans is Dr Carla Goede, a veterinarian with special interest in reptile conservation and snakebite management. Not only is she set to become Mrs Evans soon, she’s invaluable to Nick’s rescues. She’s calm, sharp-eyed, and crucially, able to treat injured animals on the spot.
“She keeps calm, which not everyone can do, and this is important. She also has good eyes, which balances out my poor eyesight that sometimes makes it hard for me to spot snakes in certain spots. Having a second pair of eyes helping you search for a Black Mamba in a cluttered storeroom is most helpful,” jokes Nick.
“It’s also handy to have a vet on board! We get a lot of injured snakes, and she knows how to treat them, plus, she has the equipment to do so. It’s nice to have company on calls, especially with the person I love, and we have a good laugh at the same time,” adds Nick.
Whether you’re already fascinated by snakes or you’ve only ever seen them as the ‘unwanted house guest,’ give Slithering Legends a chance. You might find yourself with a newfound respect for the slithering friends we share our spaces with.
Catch it from 13–26 October on People’s Planet, Openview channel 115. Check out the trailer below:
Sources: Supplied
Don’t ever miss the Good Things. Download the Good Things Guy App now on Apple or Google.
Do you have something to add to this story? Please share it in the comments or follow GoodThingsGuy on Facebook & Twitter to keep up to date with good news as it happens, or share your good news with us by clicking here or click the link below to listen to the Good Things Guy Podcast with Brent Lindeque – South Africa’s very own Good Things Guy. He’s on a mission to change what the world pays attention to, and he truly believes there’s good news around us. In the Good Things Guy podcast, you’ll meet these everyday heroes & hear their incredible stories:
Or watch an episode of Good Things TV below, a show created to offer South Africans balance in a world with what feels like constant bad news. We’re here to remind you that there are still so many good things happening in South Africa & we’ll leave you feeling a little more proudly South African.
by 