Written by Josh Kastner
Sophomore Rob Hayes envisions a nice afternoon of collecting creatures for a good grade in class and a beneficial future.
Some people may not consider diving into mud to find slimy creatures enjoyable, but for Hayes it is more than a passion; it is a potential career.
Hayes is a biology and vocational ministry major who wishes to focus in herpetology, the study of amphibians and reptiles. Not only do students in this major have the opportunity to examine slithery creatures, they also have to catch them — a skill Hayes appears to have.
Students earn points for catching “herps” (a shortened term used in the class to describe the creatures that are captured) that can equal a high or low grade in the class depending on how many are captured. Each herp varies in points based on rarity, the highest being 10 points. The average point total in this class is around 47.
Hayes, however, boasts a commanding 117 points so far.
Hayes said his point total reveals his effort and passion for the subject. His ultimate dream, he said, is to have his own television show detailing his capturing and studying of different creatures, a new “Crocodile Hunter” as he phrased it.
“But don’t worry, I don’t intend on going after any sting rays,” he said.
Hayes said there is deep purpose behind his work.
“I just enjoy going out and doing what I love, and that happens to be catching animals,” Hayes said. “I just really enjoy being a Christian as well as a scientist because most scientists are not usually Christians, and I want to let my light shine in a dark world.”
When it comes to the dangers of the job, Hayes says there aren’t many.
“One time I almost stepped right on a cottonmouth, but that was about it,” said Hayes, who admitted that every time he sees a small alligator in his home of Alabama, he toys with the idea of subduing it.
Maybe Hayes can achieve the title of Crocodile Hunter after all.
