Herpetology is a branch of zoology that involves the study of reptiles and amphibians, club president and zoology senior Kelsey Fenner said. Club members brought in a number of reptiles and amphibians to the event and were on hand to educate about the different species.

Herpetology Night, which brought in both students and families, hosted both native and exotic reptiles and amphibians — from small snapping turtles to a live five-foot alligator, pythons and boa constrictors more than six feet in length.

“This was the best turnout we’ve ever had,” Fenner said. “We have a ‘Herp Night’ every semester, and we advertise all over campus and in the East Lansing area.”

Many club members major in zoology or fisheries and wildlife, but students from many different academic backgrounds can participate, Fenner said. Members often take zoo trips and conduct field surveys of the surrounding areas.

“There’s more amphibians and reptiles around MSU than you might think,” Fenner said. “Some are harder to find than others, but they’re definitely around.”

P.J. Kohn, a zookeeper at the Binder Park Zoo in Battle Creek, studied zoology at MSU and returned to his alma mater for Herpetology Night.

“The club was a great way to meet people with the same interests, who were as crazy about reptiles as I was,” Kohn said.

Criminal justice sophomore Robin Smith didn’t have a background in herpetology, but heard about the event from a friend in one of her classes.

“Being around all these snakes and reptiles — it’s definitely something to cross off of a bucket list,” Smith said. “It’s the kind of thing you can be brave about and then document on Facebook or Instagram.”