MSU Herp Club brings kids, reptiles together

The prickly skin of the orange-colored bearded dragon first turned some children away from touching it, but 7-year-old Grace Bargerstock wasn’t frightened by the animal’s exterior Wednesday night at the Old Botany Building.

Grace, an East Lansing resident, attended the MSU Herp Club’s A Night in the Jungle event with her Girl Scout troop.

During the two-hour event, members from the club informed more than 50 community members about the exotic animals. People walked around touching snakes, frogs, turtles, iguanas and lizards.

“I liked the bearded dragon the most because of the way it feels,” Grace said.

The majority of the animals at Wednesday night’s event were pets of MSU Herp Club members.

Dan Szewczky, a zoology senior and president of the club, said the event was one of the group’s outreach programs to educate children.

“Reptiles and amphibians are less liked and the least understood,” Szewczky said. “It’s to expose children to (the animals) and show them they have nothing to be
afraid of.”

Being around the cold-blooded animals wasn’t anything new for 9-year-old Veronica Marr.

“I like being around reptiles,” said Veronica, an East Lansing resident. “I think they are kind of fun.”

Premedical sophomore Emily Gertiser, a member of the MSU Herp Club, brought her 9-month-old pet ball python to the event.

Gertiser purchased the snake during the summer and wanted to give children an opportunity to see her pet.

“When people see snakes and lizards, they don’t like them,” she said. “With this event, we get people used to the animals to where they won’t be too afraid of them.”

Though she saw many different animals, Veronica said the iguana was her favorite.

“I think they are cute and soft,” Veronica said.

East Lansing resident Chris Bargerstock, whose daughter is Grace, said she thought it was a great opportunity for the Girl Scout troop.

“For some girls, this is the first time with an up close and personal experience with a snake,” Bargerstock said.