Johan Marais is an entrepreneur, naturalist and photographer who has contributed significantly towards the conservation of reptiles in southern Africa. He is past chairman of the Herpetological Association of Africa, a member of the Crocodile Specialist Group of the World Conservation Union and chairperson of the South African Reptile Conservation Assessment. Marais has authored numerous technical papers and popular articles, as well as a range of books, including the best-selling A Complete Guide to the Snakes of Southern Africa and Guide to the Reptiles of Southern Africa.
