Herpetological Society snakes its way into MU

By Grace Meiners

Published Feb. 12, 2008

Twenty-one students, one faculty member and one six-foot Colombian boa constrictor attended the first University of Missouri Herpetological Society meeting Friday.

At the meeting, President Quentin Hall spoke about the importance of public outreach and educating other MU students about the sometimes-mysterious reptile.

Hall said he would like to see the society operate booths that would feature live animals and allow the public to interact with them and also ask questions about them.

In the past 12 years, Hall has owned over 24 species of reptiles and was a member of the St. Louis Herpetological Society before deciding to start one when he came to MU this year.

Vice President Meghaan Lieber, a senior, said she was surprised that MU did not have a herpetological society before this year and stressed the importance of one on campus.

“There are lots of misconceptions about reptiles,” she said.

These misunderstandings can lead to a terrible experience if someone not educated in reptile care decides to own one, she added.

“I think the decision to own a reptile is a big one and most people don’t realize this,” Lieber said. “A lot of reptiles end up in bad situations.”

Sophomore Andrew Landis also said reptiles often get a bad rap. Landis said he would like to help educate MU students and the general public in Columbia.

“It’ll be a good opportunity for people to get involved with reptiles,” he said. “They’re an important part of our ecosystem and not as bad as people think.”

Hall presented his idea to Animal Science Professor Trista Strauch at the beginning of the year.

“Quentin came in with a very well-prepared plan. He had the mission statement and a Power Point presentation prepared, and I couldn’t say no,” Strauch said.

Strauch said she thinks the society is a great way for students in majors such as Fisheries and Wildlife Sciences and minors like Captive Wild Animal Management to expand their knowledge beyond the classroom.

“It seemed like a logical thing to start,” she said.

Hall told those at the meeting the society was open to anyone interested in reptiles, regardless of their majors.

Landis said he planned to spread the word of the society to those on campus who might not have an opportunity to interact with reptiles in the classroom. He said he would like to see students with business or economics majors getting involved and educated.

Freshman Lauren Richardson said she was excited when she heard that Hall was starting the society because she would be able to interact more with reptiles.

“I never owned a reptile when I was little because my mom always said no,” she said.

At each meeting, the society will do a presentation on a certain reptile, such as the Colombian boa constrictor.

Hall said he was pleased with the turnout at the first meeting and is looking forward to the future of the MU Herpetological Society. “I think there’s great potential for this to grow into something large that would benefit MU,” he said.

Next month, the Herpetological Society’s meeting will feature veterinarian Tara Brooks. Brooks specializes in small animals and reptiles. The society hopes to schedule Jeff Ettling, curator of reptiles, amphibians and fish at the Saint Louis Zoo to speak at its May meeting.