Anjanette White was one of many students cringing with fear while a 13-foot Burmese Python wound its way around a brave student Tuesday during a reptile show at the Student Center.

White, a freshman from East St. Louis in mortuary science, said she has never been that close to a snake and kept her distance.

I really don’t know much about them, White said. Every time you hear something about a snake, it is usually bad.

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The reptile show, Herps Alive, is a show that gave students the opportunity to hold and pet 10 reptiles and amphibians. Some of the more popular animals at this program include the 65-pound Burmese Python, an Albino Python and a 4-foot American Alligator. The program was presented for the first time on the SIUC campus Tuesday in the Roman Room.

White ultimately conquered her fear of snakes and reached out hesitantly to pet the Burmese Python.

I’ve never had the chance to pet something like this, White said. It felt like he is going to attack me at any second. It felt so rubbery.

Now that I’ve touched it, I think that I’d be able to touch it again.

White’s fear of the Python attacking her may not be uncommon, but Keith Gisser, director of Herps Alive, said there have only been two incidents in 20 years in which people have faced injury from the reptiles.

One injury occurred after a reptile left a small bite on someone’s thumb that did not break the flesh. The other incident occurred after a Boy Scout attempted to kiss one of the reptiles after being cautioned not to. The reptile snapped at the boy but caused no harm.

The worst thing that usually happens is the animals defecate on their handlers, Gisser said.

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The reptiles, however, did not defecate on Kyle Werner, a freshman from Glen Carbon in hotel, restaurant and travel administration. He said his fear of snakes also comes from not being around them often enough.

I have a fear of snakes, Werner said. I’ve never been this close except at the zoo. I’ve seen a lot of National Geographics where snakes are attacking things and wrapping around things. I only know how they look, not at all how they feel.

Werner approached the Albino Python and flinched noticeably when he first touched the reptile. After his hands stopped shaking, he was able to pet the reptile comfortably.

It didn’t feel a lot like what I expected, he said. I found it interesting. It felt smooth.

I would have left after a while if I didn’t touch it. It gives you hands-on knowledge as to how a reptile will react after you hold it.

Gisser does anywhere from 150 to 175 shows a year in front of everyone from pre-school students to college students to homes for the elderly.

Gisser, who travels the nation with his reptile show in tow, said the animals have gotten used to all of the traveling.

These are animals that are handled on a regular basis, Gisser said. All of them travel easy and are easy to maintain.

The Student Programming Council sponsored Herps Alive as a part of its Nooner series, which offers free shows in the Student Center. This was the last show of the series.

Students were having lunch in the Roman Room while the show was going on, but Luis Muralles, executive director of the Student Programming Council, said the reptile show was not a type of health violation.

This is one of the most visible areas on campus, he said. This is where everybody is at noon.

He said SPC sponsored the event after he received information at the beginning of the semester about Herps Alive. He also received a strong recommendation from one of his staffers.

This is something different, Muralles said. You want to get the most fun for your money.

It’s also very educational. This helps gives students more of a personal feel for the types of reptiles that are here.

Gisser said it is common to return to places more than once and would be glad to return to SIUC in future years.

This is the first time we have been here, and I hope SIU invites us back next year, he said. We thrive on repeat business.