Mark O'Shea's Q&A - 4th installment!
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Mark O'Shea
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www.markoshea.tv
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March 31, 2004
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The 4th Installment of Mark's answers to your questions…
Webmaster's Note: It is not Mark's fault that it has taken so long to get many of these questions answered. In reality, he answered many of these questions months ago, but the originals were lost in my worst computer crash ever. Please also try to keep in mind that I attend to this website as often as my life permits, but lately that hasn't been much. Hopefully, I'll have more time this year to keep things current. Meanwhile, I have several good people that are doing a great job of keeping it running.
Mark O'Shea Responses III
by KingCobraFan on July 18, 2003
Found it interesting O. hannah's your favorite venomous snake; rest assured it's mine, as well. Enjoyed your Russell's viper episode---seems like it's SRO at the hospitals near where that snake is found.
Any chance of doing a show on kraits sometime down the road? Guess I'm pretty quick to put you in harm's way,
huh?LOL. Anyway, take care and keep up the excellent work.
We had planned to make a film in Myanmar (Burma) on Asian spitting cobras and kraits with the late Joe Slowinski for the 3rd Series, and one of my Directors had discussed the idea with him. Tragically circumstances overtook everyone and Joe was fatally bitten by a many-banded krait. I never met him personally but when such a thing happens to `one of your own' it has a considerable shock effect. It certainly made me more careful handing the krait-like snakes I was unfamiliar with, such as the Travanacore wolfsnake in the Western Ghats of India a month or so later.
Mark O'Shea Responses III
by RichStorey on July 25, 2003
Im sure you get countless people saying "i want your job" and im not going to lie to you because i am another. I am interested in studying herpetology at degree level after I have finished traveling around SE asia in search of reptiles. however i cannot find a university in the uk that teaches this. Do you know of anywhere?
also i have spent a considerable time in sri lanka and know the problem with the russels viper only too well. is it possible for an amateur herpetologist to join a similar project that you did in sri lanka? if so who would I contact?
You seem to have a good field background so you should be able to get your own projects off the ground once you degree is completed, or attach to a scientific expedition somewhere. It is certainly not necessary to be on TV to do fieldwork, in fact traveling with a film crew and tight film making schedules can seriously affect how much time you can spend actually `herping'.
When we were filming it was quite a small tight team, apart from porters, boatmen etc. so both for ease of traveling in small aircraft and for insurance purposes, so it was not possible or practical to take `passengers' along. However, I have an idea for something along similar lines that might come to fruition.
Mark O'Shea Responses III
by adz91 on July 29, 2003
Hey Mark im from wednesfield in Wolverhampton your home town :)Im sure you know how hard it is to find reptiles around wolverhampton.
could you tell me any popular sites holding large populations of reptiles or amphibians around the area within about 15 miles
also id just like to say how much you influence me alongside jeff corwin, rob bredl and steve irwin .I watch you every Monday and weekend on Animal planet and your show really rocks.
aso do u know any web sites where they would have a list of the herps that live in Mallorca cuz im going there on holiday for my first snake hunt abroad and if my venomous or not venomous theory doesn't work i think should know whether its venomous any way with a list.Cheers!:P
Dear P, if you are going to Europe get yourself the Collins Field Guide and you will be fine for snake identification. I am sure there are no vipers on Mallorca but you probably know that by now since this email is almost a year old.
Mark O'Shea Responses III
by cottonmouth on July 31, 2003
Mark, without kissing to much ass, I want to say that your shows are outstanding, and my family and I look forward to each episode. My family all agree that the episode with the Ally snappers are our favorite. Keep up the good work, because people in the Lousi area haven taken notice from your program and have started a process to stop the slaughter of those wonderful creatures. Jeff Q
I have heard from several quarters that folks in Louisiana are looking at alligator snappers from a different viewpoint, hopefully killing fewer for the pot. I am sure that if it is true it was caused by a combination of things, not just my one film, but it is also important that tourists visiting New Orleans do not order turtle from the menu if conservation efforts are to succeed.
Mark O'Shea Responses III
by adz91 on August 6, 2003
hey mark sorry im writin again:|
i just wondered where about in wolverhampton you live like wednesfield, heath town, low hill etc.
also what qualifications did you need to get to where you are now and where did you go to to uni/colledge if you did
I was born and bred in Penn, on the southwest side of Wolverhampton
I was educated at Manor Road, Highfields, Wulfrun College, Univ. Wolverhampton (then Polytechnic) where I got my degree. In 2001 they honoured me with a Degree of Doctor of Sciences for my contributions to herpetology (fieldwork in PNG, Brazil etc., not for my TV which is only one aspect of my herpetological field background)
Mark O'Shea Responses III
Anonymous post on August 16, 2003
I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction regarding working with reptiles through conservation. I have seen a project in South Africa but they charge thousands and thousands of pounds to join. do you know how i could get involved with one that is free or considerably cheaper (although i am aware that they have to get their funding from somewhere). I used to be in charge of collecting all of cheshires reptile records, working for the wildlife trust, but i would like to take my interest in conservation overseas.
It costs money to put a fieldworker in the field and keep him there and that money has to come from somewhere. Grants are generally only allocated to academics who have proven their worth as fieldworkers. I spent years in the early and mid 1980s working for nine months to earn a living and then using most of my accumulated funds to pay for my participation on the next project. I continued doing this for about 5 years, until I had served my fieldwork `apprenticeship' if you like and academic organizations where prepared to fully fund me to participate. Most people have to go through this process. Some people sign up for Earthwatch projects where they assist on existing projects and this is an excellent idea, the money they input paying for their flights and subsistence, and also funding part of the research project. Better than paying to sit on a beach somewhere I would say.
Mark O'Shea Responses III
Anonymous post on October 10, 2003
Just saw your Russell's viper episode yesterday. Great work. It amazes me how comfortable you look with that Russell's in your hand. But, you should have included that very rare Dryocalamus gracilis in the film. I wonder whether you will try a film about Mole Vipers. Not many shows have been able to show these snakes. Anyway, looking forward to the upcoming episodes.
The Russell's vipers were impressive though I have met the species before in Nepal and Thailand. I would have included the Dryocalamus too but the executives are not herpetologists and did not think the little snake interesting enough for a general audience (shame), the Director and I would have liked it in the final film but some things have to be left out.
I have not made a film specifically about atractaspids (mole vipers as you call them) but I did get bitten on camera by Bibron's stiletto snake (A.bibroni) back in pre-OBA 1997 when I made Black Mamba so the family did get into one of my 36 films.
Mark O'Shea Responses III
by CottonmouthKyle on November 25, 2003
My friends and I hunt snakes in Waycross, GA and find a number of different species like corn snakes, garter snakes, ribbon snakes, banded and brown water snakes, pygmy rattlesnakes, timber rattlesnakes, and mostly cottonmouths. I was wandering if you might consider doing a show in the Waycross area. I'm sure you will find a number of species.
p.s. Where can you find copperheads in southeast GA?
There may be lots of snakes on Waycross but there are probably lots of snakes in other areas across the US (we only have three species in the UK). The fact that there are snakes in the region is not sufficient to warrant making an OBA, there has to be a concrete investigative story for the film to follow, something a bit more tangible than a parade of snakes which may be interesting to you and me, but maybe not as interesting to a non-herper or an armchair naturalist. Remember most viewers are not as into snakes as we are so the films have to have a wider appeal. When I have been in the US for a few days without a camera crew I have been out with the local herp society members looking at their particular favourite locations. A few years back the Kansas Herp. Society folks were kind enough to take my girlfriend and myself out to a few interesting timber rattler sites and we found a whole bunch of snakes for me to photograph. That is what I do in my spare time, without a film crew in tow, so don`t spoil it for me !
Mark O'Shea Responses III
by Tamar on January 3, 2004
Rio de Janeiro, 4 de janeiro de 2004.
Eu tenho 19 anos de idade e te admiro muito, você exerce um trabalho que é magnífico e adoro a maneira que você manuseia as serpentes. Você é carismático, inteligente e tem um ótimo senso de humor.
Faz um tempo que eu estou tentando enviar este e-mail, eu sei que você é um homem muito ocupado,mas se você puder responder o meu e-mail para: tamar_cantanhede@yahoo.com.br
É muito especial para mim.
OBS: Me desculpe se alguma palavra não estiver correta, eu estou estudando o inglês.
Hi! All good with you? I have 19 years of age and I admire you very, you exert a work that is magnificent and adores the way that you handle the serpents
You is charismatic, intelligent and have excellent sense of humor.
It makes a time that I am trying sends this email, I know that you is a very busy man, but if you it will be able to answer my email for: tamar_cantanhede@zipmail.com.br
it is very special for me.
Ps: It forgives me if some word will not be correct, I am studying the English.
Holla! ¿Todo bueno con usted? Tengo 19 años de la edad y le admiro muy,
usted ejerce un trabajo que sea magnífico y adora la manera que usted maneja las serpientes, Usted es carismático, inteligente y tiene sentido del humor excelente.
Hace una tiempo que esté intentando envíe este e-mail, yo sepa que usted es un hombre muy ocupado, pero si usted él puede contestar a mi e-mail para:
tamar_cantanhede@zipmail.com.br
Me perdona si una cierta palabra no está correcta, yo está estudiando el inglés.
So this is where you tried to contact me first.
In English, Portuguese and Spanish too.
It is very pleasing to discover that not all my fans are old Harley-riding beardies, beer-guts with a few fingers missing !
No offence fellas, but it is nice to get emails from young female fans too wouldn't you agree !
An old beardie Harley rider himself, but still with all fingers
RE: Mark O'Shea Responses III
by Snake17 on January 12, 2004
I, unlike most people subscribed to this site, am from Romania. It is very difficult to exchange opinions with professional herpetologists, because there are very few. I think that the question and answer thing that you guys did with Mark O`Shea is splendid. I would like to know if there's a future similar thing, and if there is, how can I send my questions for M.O. to answer. My e-mail is Bitis_arietans_arietans@yahoo.com
It is always good to hear from people who enjoy my films and for whom English is not their first language (I often wonder how my comments in Tok Pisin - PNG Pidgin English - in “Magic Man” transfer to other languages). I spoke to a waiter in Leeds, northeast England, who raved about my films and when I asked him where he had seen them he said “At home, in Kosovo”.
I try to answer all queries and questions from people interested in my films but I prefer to do it through the venomousreptiles.org website rather than making my email address public domain.
So ask away and I will try to answer. Sorry it has taken so long this time.
RE: Mark O'Shea Responses III
by chirag_roy2005 on February 17, 2004
I am Chirag from India. I think I am ur greatest fan ever. I will be very thankful to you, if u come up with all new adventures of "O'SHEA'S BIG ADVENTURE"
We made a fourth series in 2003, in Mauritania/Senegal; Zambia/Tanzania; S.Africa and in Peru which has yet to be shown outside the US.
OBA is on hold at present.
Mark O'Shea Responses III
by humpelfluch on February 27, 2004
My name is Robert McDonald and I am a big fan of yours. Herpetology isn't exactly what I would like to go into, but I would definitely like to work with animals in the future. I was wondering whether I would be able to get work-experience at the zoo you work at since I need to collect more of it. I already have two weeks at veterinary practices and several years in a riding school, but I need to get a variety of experience, and my careers advisor suggested I look at going to a zoo. I had already thought of this but I wasn't sure whether it was the right sort to get. However, I had loved the idea of it.
I'm not sure whether you'll see this or not, since I don't know how often you view the board, but I hope you do. If you want to you can email me instead at humpelfluch@catholic.org or reply to this message. I'm not bothered.
By the way I will be going to the presentation you are giving at the Wrexham Science fair, so I'm looking forward to that.
Didn't we speak at the Wrexham Science Festival?
In a nutshell to get work experience you have to write and ask for a placement and try to sell yourself above everyone else who wants to get a placement.
It is not easy because there must be ten times as many keen applicants are available places. That said, nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Mark O'Shea Responses III
by humpelfluch on March 4, 2004
Hi It's Rob again. I just realised that the address I gave is the wrong one. The real one is humpelfluch@aol.com. But then again, if you reply, it would be better if you replied to the board as I'd be able to access it more easily.
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Mark O'Shea's Q&A - 4th installment!
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by rattlesnakeboy on April 10, 2004
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Hey Mark, I was just checking out your site and It was great to see that you did an episode on the timber rattlesnake and it conservation.Anyways I missed that episode and to be a little off subject,this summer I'am doing a volunteer prodject here in Vermont with the timber rattlesnake.So mark I was wondering if there was anyway I could buy a copy of that episode,it would be greatly inspiring to see an actual t.v. episode on the timber rattlesnake.By the way I admire your work as a herpotologist, and I appreciate you taking the time to even do a show on timber rattlesnakes.This is such a wonderful species of snake,but so mis-understood.I hope to someday work with this native snake of Vermont and to help conserve it and its habitat!So again I was just wondering if there was a way to get a copy of that episode?
Sincerely,Eric Buck
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by jimmy_the_kid on May 23, 2004
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hey mark im a really big fan. I heard about your encounter with a timber rattle snake and would like to say my brother was also bitten by a timber and came very close to dying it must of been a horrible experence but its good to see you dident lose your love for reptiles im a newbi to the world of herps. I own a morelia spilota mcdowelli not had it for long but have been intrested in reptiles since i was about 4 when i caught my first bearded dragon and have been hooked ever since i live in the world down under and have seen most of your episodes i was glad to see you had an intrest in australian reptiles like the sydney broad headed snake and i hope i get to met you one day. I an going for my venomus reptile handling license soon and traviling into central australi as this will be my first feild trip do you have any words of advice
regards jimmy
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by Mark_OShea on June 2, 2004
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Dear Eric
My films are not available commercially on video or DVD because apparently there the market for them is too small to warrant producing them for sale.
I can't even send you a copy of my production copy because in the UK we are VHS PAL and you are VHS NTSC in the US so you will not be able to watch it on your player. All I can suggest is wait for it to show again or ask around for someone who has videoed it already.
I agree, timber rattlers are special and their conservation is very important.
Sorry
Mark
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by Mark_OShea on June 2, 2004
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Hi Jimmy
Timber rattler bites are not fun and nor are bites from canebrakes, I've had both and the latter was the worst.
Australia is stocked to the gunnels with fascinating herps but if you are going off into the centre to search for them I would say get a copy of Cogger's 6th edition of Amphibians and Reptiles of Australia, with its 1000+ species, for identification, take decent snake catching kit, take a pressure bandage and make sure you know Aussie bandage technique, take a mobile phone and stay in touch with base, take a colleague who likes herps with you, take plenty of water and fuel but don't take chances!
Mark
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Mark O'Shea's Q&A - 4th installment!
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by cottonmouth on October 18, 2005
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Hi Mark, just watched the episode where you were in Asia catching a King Cobra for the hearing experiment. I loved that one; ranks up there with the Alligator snapper show. Are you going to do some more shows in the future? We have them all taped for my kids and I for rainy days. Jeff Q
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RE: Mark O'Shea's Q&A - 4th installment!
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by longtooth on November 9, 2005
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mark hi my name is coy beck j.r. from north carolina have seen you many times on the tv you do us all proud i have been working at a wildlife park in n.c. for seven years but have kept hots for twenty i just cannot seem to find a group to work with that i can actually make a living doing field work iam more than willing to do the work just can't get with the people or right people in 1979 i almost got to go to wake forest on a grant but it was dropped and no way did i have the money for it so i'm still trying.I know there is a man in akin south carolina connented with the savanah river project but i never can remember his name he has worked with brady barr on tv anyway if you can help me out with some advice i would greatly appreciate it thanx coy beck j.r. www.ckjbeck3@cs.com
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RE: Mark O'Shea's Q&A - 4th installment!
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by Herpwannabe on February 10, 2006
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Mark, you have a message which was written in Portuguese. Though I can appreciate the attempt made to English, I decided to provide you with the propper translation. I am Brazilian and I believe my version will serve you better.
The posting was by a girl named "Tamar Cantanhede". Here goes the updated English version:
In portuguese:
Rio de Janeiro, January 4th, 2004.
Mark O'Shea.
Hi, is everything alright with you?
I am 19 years old and I admire you a lot. You do an incredible work and I love the way you handle the snakes. You are charismatic, intelligent and you have a great sense of humor.
I have been trying to send you this e-mail for a while now, and I know you are a very busy man, but it would be great if you could reply to my e-mail address: tamar_cantanhede@yahoo.com.br
This is very special to me.
PS: Please forgive me for any wrong words and mistakes. I am studying english.
Many kisses,
Tamar
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