My fascination with reptiles began in my early childhood. I spent hours watching turtles in the shallow bay near our lake cottage. Spring brought me to the woods where the half starving and barely awake snakes were easy catch. Killing these creatures was farthest from my mind. In fact my poor mother was always begging dad to get the snakes before I brought them into the house. Many a night I spent trying to catch the frog or toad that had gotten loose in the basement.

     Now in my elder years I’ve come to realize the importance of all these creatures. They’re part of the ecology of our earth. Toads are especially important to us because they eat so many insects that are pests and /or are harmful to us and our environment.

     The increased use of pesticides and insecticides have been very detrimental to the toad to say nothing about ourselves. As in the past many scientists reassured us that chemicals used in these poisons are harmless to us. Remember DDT, Thalidomide, Agent Orange? Experts at one time assured us that humans were safe from the effects of such chemicals.

     Today more and more proof has been produced to show the harmful effects of pesticides on all creatures.  Frogs are being born with an extra pair of legs, or with both male and female organs. Children’s brain development has been seriously effected by household chemicals according to a leading environmental group. Many people are suffering from uncataloged illnesses.