BGSU offers students unique opportunities with on-campus herpetology lab

The Herpetarium is home to 22 species and more than 200 reptiles and amphibians

By Branden Ferguson

With 22 species and more than 200 total reptiles and amphibians, the Bowling Green State University Herpetarium is a hidden gem on campus and in the community.

The lab's mission is diverse: to promote appreciation of biological diversity, the understanding and respect of organisms and offer hands-on research and experience to undergraduate students.

"Most universities have regular research labs, as do we," said Dr. Mason Murphy, assistant professor and director of the Herpetarium. "The herpetology lab focuses on undergraduate engagement and outreach that doesn't exist in most other places."

Each semester, around three dozen undergraduate students from various majors work hands-on with the animals in the lab. Students learn animal care, husbandry and ecology. Together, these students work to engage and educate the community and their peers.

"Students in the lab host weekly outreach activities and participate in class tours," Murphy said. "My students have the opportunity to interact and talk with the public, whether it be kindergartners or retirees. Outreach activities give students the chance to do a little teaching as well."

Caitlin Danilovic of Medina, located south of Cleveland, chose to attend BGSU because of the opportunities for undergraduate research and strong biology department. As a pre-veterinary medicine student, Danilovic is thankful for the immersive, hands-on learning environment the herpetology lab provides her.

"Being involved in feeding, enclosure maintenance, breeding programs and health assessments, I am gaining valuable skills in animal care and scientific documentation that will prove useful as I pursue a career in veterinary medicine," Danilovic said.

Currently serving as the lab's quarantine and care coordinator, Danilovic is responsible for ensuring the overall health and well-being of the animals. Working alongside her as a student coordinator in the lab, senior Makayla Bok of Elida, near Lima, Ohio, also shares a passion for the animals in the herpetology lab.

"The lab is like a second home to me, both in physical space and with the community I found within the lab," Bok said. "While I came to BGSU for an academic education, the lab helped me through many life experiences. I wouldn't be the person I am today without the support and confidence the lab provided me."

In addition to caring for the animals, Danilovic and Bok also provide demonstrations for visiting groups of K-12 students, community members and BGSU students. Outside the lab, the two of them present at various campus and community events.

"It's truly rewarding to show others the fascinating world of reptiles in such an interactive way," Danilovic said.

Home to bearded dragons, geckos, tree frogs, turtles, salamanders and various species of snakes, Bok, Danilovic and other students have the opportunity to conduct undergraduate research, a pillar of the University's ranking as the No. 1 public university in Ohio for the student learning experience.

"We have had students study corn snake color genetics, gecko diets and its influence on reptile growth, and the effects of traditional versus bioactive enclosures," Murphy said.

With plans to attend veterinary school after graduation, Danilovic also made the most of her BGSU experience and received grant funding to conduct research on the effects of different UVA lighting on the growth and health of geckos.

"With limited scientific literature on the appropriate lighting for New Caledonian geckos, I was inspired to conduct my own research," Danilovic said. "With guidance from Dr. Murphy, I developed an experimental design, tested my own hypothesis, collected and analyzed data, and presented my findings at the Undergraduate Symposium for Research and Scholarship. The experience of designing, executing and presenting my own research not only deepened my understanding of the scientific process, but allowed me to contribute valuable insights into the care of these fascinating creatures."

Hard work and hundreds of hours of hands-on experience paid off, as Danilovic has accepted a seat at Ohio State University's College of Veterinary Medicine. She plans to specialize in emergency and exotic medicine and continue to explore her love for herpetology.

Bok also applied for and received grant funding for research, choosing to study the chemical changes occurring within soil after a planned brush burn. When she wasn't in class, Bok spent her free time researching the impact burns have on toads and sought to determine which soil environment they preferred.

"While I am focused on a career in healthcare, the herpetology lab has provided me with amazing, real-world experience with animals you don't often see," Bok said. "Earning my degree, volunteering in the lab and conducting research in something I am passionate about was the opportunity of a lifetime."

Started in 1997 by Dr. Eileen Underwood, professor emerita in Biology, the herpetology lab continues to expand. Despite its growth, Murphy said the Herpetarium is committed to the learning that comes from hands-on experience.

"After more than two and a half decades, we look forward to providing public good to the community and our students for years to come," Murphy said. 

The Herpetarium is open to the public weekdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. without a reservation.