When Eastern’s herpetology class found their current water snake at Lake Charleston, it had a deep gash in the side of its neck that cut nearly to its bone.

Biology professor Stephen Mullin said someone likely tried to kill the snake thinking it posed a threat, despite the fact that there are no wild venomous snakes in Coles County.

“I continue to offer that statement, and people continue to ignore it,” Mullin said.

He said he and the students in his lab hope to fight this misconception as well as other misconceptions about the dangers of snakes, other reptiles and amphibians.

To fight this misconception, Mullin and his students keep several specimens on display at the Life Science building and host several events where people can handle and learn about the animals. These include workshops with area schools and a booth in the Doudna Fine Arts Center during Celebration.

“What’s really nice is that we can take one of these animals out and know its disposition and be able to teach someone something about them,” Mullin said.

As part of the herpetology class, students spend time in the field catching and studying different reptiles and amphibians. Mullin said these specimens do not normally enter the permanent collection, the injured water snake being one exception.

He said water snakes normally do not tolerate being handled by humans, but because he and his class had to nurse it back to health it is much more relaxed.

“As water snakes go, it’s marvelous,” Mullin said.

Because of the snake’s calmer disposition, Mullin said the class decided to hold onto it after it was healed. He said telling people about the snake’s story and showing them its scar tissue help fight the persecution of reptiles.

One of the students in the lab, Corissa Lennon, said because most people lack knowledge of reptiles, the danger they pose is dramatized.

Lennon is a graduate student studying biology, and said she enjoys herpetology because it is an opportunity to teach people about something they do not understand or necessarily accept.

“A lot of people consider snakes and lizards to be in the ‘creepy crawly’ category,” she said. “It really throws people off if something doesn’t have legs.”

Mullin said none of the specimens on display could pose a real danger to anyone while he is supervising.

“None of these can consume you or cause anything but temporary harm,” he said.

When he came to Eastern 13 years ago, Mullin said he did not expect to take over what is basically a small zoo. He said they do not often take on new animals, and the ones they do are relatively low maintenance.

“It’s not our intent to be the Coles County reptile shelter,” Mullin said.

In addition to taking care of the reptiles and amphibians on display, both Mullin and Lennon have pet reptiles as well.

Mullin has a red rat snake he keeps at home named Jackie O.

Lennon has a bearded dragon named Bernie that she keeps on display with much of the other Life Science animals.

Mullin said many people do not realize how much work can go into taking care of a reptilian pet.

“If you want them as a pet, that’s a responsibility that you better be prepared to deal with, but they’re super cool,” Mullin said.

Seth Schroeder can be reached at 581-2812 or [email protected].