Meet The Team

With a long history in the reptile community since 1991, Steve Meighan is the owner of Deep South Reptile Rescue and the chairman of The Western Cape Herpetological Association. 
Through his methods of conservation through education Deep South Reptile Rescue has grown to become one of the most well respected and well known companies in the reptile community and industry. 
While Steve has a good overall knowledge of reptiles his focus is on snakes and education about snakes. His management and leadership qualities have led to the founding of this Association to help better the reptile community and industry for all involved and most importantly for the animals he is so passionate about.
For more about Steve see Deep South Reptile Rescue on IG or FB.

"I have been keeping and breeding snakes since 2000. In this time, I have worked with well over 80 species of reptiles. 

I started a business back in 2002 as reptiles have been a passion for me, and I wanted to focus on my passion for reptiles. Initially, it was mainly focused on the importing of reptiles and selling to the pet trade. For this, I had to build my own quarantine station, which I built out of an insulated truck body. This was a first of its kind in SA, and the red tape took a good year to navigate for approval. 

Over time, my focus shifted towards education via reptile parks of which I have been through 3 and a half. Built from the ground up, not all were successful. With great determination and hard work, things have finally started paying off. 

My main focus is to educate people about reptiles, especially snakes. Then, also to assist keepers in the correct husbandry as well as make things more affordable and practical for this trade so we can better care for these amazing animals."

I have always had a fascination for animals. When I was six years old my brother gifted me with my first snake book, Rod Patterson and Penny Meakin’s pocket guide for Southern Africa, Snakes. At the age of nine I received my first snake, a brown house snake, and I have been keeping reptiles ever since.
I have been active in public education for some time, doing educational talks, shows, and presentations. I have a vast knowledge on reptile husbandry, conservation, and multiple areas of biology. I have been involved in environmental education for over 10 years. I have helped keep and maintain several collections for others along with maintaining my own animals, and have worked as an advisor for the film industry. I have also been active in animal rehabilitation, treating sick and/or injured reptiles, and the catch and release of “problem” snakes. I am also an active member of several clubs, and reptile related groups.
I hold a BSc in Biochemistry and Microbiology, and am currently studying zoology with an intention of studying further in this field. I am also currently doing a degree in applied technology.

Hi, my name is Tyron Terblanche, owner and curator of Tyron's corns and colubrids.
I have been keeping snakes for about 22 years now, started when I was 9. It started as a hobby for simply keeping these amazing reptiles and eventually the breeding bug bit me, and now I have one of the most well known breeding establishments in the country. We specialise in the breeding of high quality animals that are easy to care for and all well started and established before finding their forever homes

I have pioneered most of the first gene projects in corn snakes in the Western cape and are continuously striving to improve our gene pool as well as the genetic combinations we work with.
I also specialise in husbandry practices and have extensive experience on various husbandry topics ranging from cage sizing, enrichment and also have knowledge in snake illness and ailments and how to treat them