Society helps students overcome phobias of reptiles, amphibians

    Students can face their scaly fears today with the help of local reptiles and the Murray State Herpetological Society.
    Fall “Herp Fest,” presented by the Murray State University Herpetological Society is open to the public from  8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. today in the Curris Center Dance Lounge.
    During the fall, many animals are preparing to go into hibernation, Jonathan Urbina, Murray State alumnus from Belize, said. 
    The Society has a permit to catch animals, as long as they are released back into their natural habitat.  Only animals  safely caught and presented will be at the festival, he said.
    Besides asuaging students’ fears of slithering creatures, the festival is beneficial to pre-veterinary students because it provides them with hands-on learning opportunities, Urbina said.
    They can learn how to draw blood on the species, as well as how to diagnose skin and scale problems. 
    “The people who come out are already fascinated by these animals,” Urbina said.  “Some may be scared and just want to look, but they realize these creatures are not that bad.”
    The reptiles and amphibians at today’s show are privately owned by members of The Herpetological Society and members of the community. Edmund Zimmerer, professor of biological sciences, lends the majority of the animals from his on-campus laboratory to the festival, Elisha Argo, senior from Paris, Tenn., and president of The Society, said. 
    Featured animals include an American alligator and a red-tail boa among many others, she said. 
    Demonstrations on animal care, proper diet and snake identification will be provided, she said.
    These demonstrations will identify which snakes are dangerous and which are not. 
    Argo said society members want to educate the public about the defense mechanisms of reptiles and amphibians. Argo also mentioned the importance of protecting non-venomous animals.           
    Other demonstrations include how to properly construct a habitat for reptiles and amphibians and how to conduct physical examinations of the animals.
    The mission of the Herpetological Society is the protection and conservation of the reptilian and amphibious population through activism and education, Argo said.
    All animals shown at “Herp Fest” will be in cages.  Interaction with certain species is  allowed, an event flier stated.
    Admission is $1 for Murray State students with a Racercard and $2 for the general public.
    Contact Freeland at mfreeland1@murraystate.edu.
 

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