Ping Kicks off Talks in the Deep South with Reptiles

On October 16, 2025, SmallTalX held its inaugural talk in the Deep South at the historical Welcome Glen Farm House, featuring herpetologist and field-guide author Tyrone Ping, presenting on the reptiles and amphibians of the Peninsula.

In the lead-up, The False Bay Echo featured this article, promoting the talk.

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Join local nature enthusiasts on October 16 at Welcome Glen Farmhouse for an enlightening talk by herpetologist Tyrone Ping, who will share insights on the reptiles and amphibians of the Cape Peninsula. Don't miss this opportunity to learn and engage.

The event was fully booked, and the community centre was lively as attendees gathered to learn about local snakes, frogs, and lizards. The timing of the event aligned with the beginning of Summer, which is also snake season. The community was eager and ready for this presentation.

Tyrone's presentation provided a comprehensive overview of the diverse reptilian and amphibian life in the region, highlighting the endemic species (like the black girdled lizard), their conservation status and adaptability, their roles within ecosystems, their unique behaviours and survival traits, and the effects of human activities on their well-being, habitats, and future.

In discussions about reptiles and amphibians, it's expected that snakes will be a focal point, given this deep-seated fear. He expresses affection even for the most dangerous snakes, sharing stories of his experiences with snake removals and the difficulties people encounter in correctly identifying them and acknowledging their ecological importance.

This doesn't mean that the fear we possess is unfounded or that we shouldn't exercise caution around snakes. Nor does it mean that everyone should become snake-handlers. Rather, we should approach them with respect and informed understanding. Tyrone suggests ways we can be more conscious of our impact on their habitats and avoid killing them. His message promotes empathy between species and emphasises actions that support peaceful coexistence. In fact, human deaths from snake bites are very rare, while many of the threats we pose to them are preventable. Tyrone does not keep snakes in captivity or release them into non-native ecosystems; instead, he releases them nearby to keep them within their natural habitat. He also condemns the ongoing illegal trade of snakes and amphibians.

Tyrone Ping has produced several field guides based on his comprehensive cataloguing, photography, and research throughout South Africa. His field guides were available for purchase at the event, and after his presentation and a lively Q&A, many attendees were eager to add his guide to their collections. Selling books by experts at events adds significant value, as it allows audience members to continue their learning journey beyond the talk and gain more knowledge about the species we share our environment with, while also supporting the work of specialists like Tyrone.

SmallTalX anticipates the upcoming talk, presenting another chance for Deep South communities to explore an intriguing subject: radio astronomy and the ongoing projects at the MeerKAT radio telescope. This represents an extraordinary achievement in science and engineering on a global scale. We hope to see you there!