A beauty pageant where frogs become princes

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A beauty pageant where frogs become princes

By Elize Jacobs

Step aside Miss Beautiful and all the other conventional "babes" out there - some beauty pageant judges are of the opinion that frogs, lizards and other such reptiles are the true beauties.

And the judges at the Transvaal Herpetological Association (THA) Beauty Pageant do not even mind that there is no chance of any of their frogs turning into princes - or princesses for that matter.

For the past number of years the association has been holding an annual beauty pageant in which members of the association - or any interested individual - can enter their beautiful reptile "pets" whose beauty is then assessed by their peers.

Last year the winner was a striped gaboon viper which took everybody's breath away.

All reptiles have beautiful qualities
This year the event will be hosted at the Transvaal Museum in Paul Kruger street. It starts at 7.30pm for 8pm on October 29 and guests are welcome.

According to vice-chairperson of the association, Arno Naude, all reptiles have beautiful qualities.

"But as with other animals, some simply stand neck and two vertebrae above others," he said.

"Some lizards and tortoises can stand head and shoulders above the others but snakes have a slight disadvantage."

The snake categories are small, medium and large which are divided into indigenous and exotic classes.

'We are recognised as an asset by Gauteng Nature Conservation'
There is a category for four-legged reptiles and then there are the "oddballs" - mutations or just quirks of nature.

The association is the oldest and the largest of the amateur reptile and amphibian clubs. It has a membership of over 100 members who meet on a monthly basis to discuss various aspects of their hobby.

Naude said they contributed to the study and conservation of reptiles and amphibians and strive to educate the public about these often misunderstood family of animals.

"Besides the educational talks we also remove problem reptiles from houses and yards, throughout the province. These animals are generally released back into areas where they will not come into conflict with humans again."

Some of the members are on standby to assist doctors with the identification of snakes and advise them in the treatment of snakebite victims.

"We are recognised as an asset by Gauteng Nature Conservation and they issue us with permits to keep reptiles, as well as permits to do the educational talks."

"They also do not have the skilled personnel to remove problem reptiles and that is where we play a role in their conservation," he said.

* This article was originally published on page 7 of The Pretoria News on October 26, 2004