Forgotten Reptiles

Frogs, Newts, Toads, and Salamanders. Ok, I know these are not actually reptiles, but so many times they are put in the same category in herp societies and public opinion. If you read our mission statement there is a section that reads, and I quote, “It is our overall social and personal responsibility to represent and protect the reptilian and amphibian life, both native and non native.”

With that being said, do we really represent and protect amphibian life? When was the last time you went to a reptile and exotic animal show and saw more than a handful of frogs, salamanders, toads, or newts? That’s right, you didn’t, and it is a shame. Well let’s change that and give a little shout out to amphibians today. Do any of you know what amphibians are native to South Carolina and Georgia area? There are six families of salamanders. For Newts there is 1 family with 3 species. Toads come out with 6 families and frogs leap out with about 25 families. South Carolina even has the Spotted Salamander elected as the official State Amphibian.

So what is it about amphibians that seem less intriguing that we forget about them and pay more attention to snakes, lizards, and turtles? Well with a few people I talk to on this topic, they seem to think that being water bound for the most part, requires to much work to maintain. Others think it is because they seem boring (most likely due to lack of hype they get from herp societies, movies, and pet stores). More than likely both points are true. Have you ever wondered why there is not Amphibian societies? Why do they get tossed in with the reptiles? Do they not deserve their own attention that they have to share it with a whole other species of animal?

What can we do to make these little creatures more desirable to talk about and have around in with reptiles collections? Perhaps more information on them when a herp society holds a conservation or educational event. Take several herp meetings and focus on amphibians. Let people get hands on with amphibians through filed herp trips and show and tells. There are many ways to bring these little guys back into popularity. They just need a little help from people like us and people like you.