Star letter: frogs aren't reptiles
These days I'm getting all sorts of letters, posts and musings coming my way. Here's an illuminating example from Mike in the USA. He's interested in reclassifying some of the major classes of animal. He's also a nutter. - The Prof
I'm surprised. You see, I wanted to double-check on the status of turtles, because, I hate reptiles, but I like turtles.
I had the following scheme for reptiles
Alligators, crocodiles - hate them
Snakes - hate them
Lizards - hate them
Frogs - hate them too
It turns out according to Wikipedia that frogs aren't reptiles. They're "amphibian". Wikipedia also lists that the Fire Salamander (Salamandra salamandra) is another amphibian too, and not a reptile either. Now to me that's just a regular plain ugly lizard. A reptile I say. It doesn't really matter what it does at bedtime. What matters is that it's ugly, slimy, crusty, crackly, crawly and I hate it. I say lump them back with reptiles.
In return, I really would like turtles to be classified apart, separate from reptiles, as I like them. They're not mean, and they're not disgusting. I'll accept though that they are somewhat dumb. But still, I think they're good-hearted. I would like to appeal for reclassification on their behalf.
I'm surprised. You see, I wanted to double-check on the status of turtles, because, I hate reptiles, but I like turtles.
I had the following scheme for reptiles
Alligators, crocodiles - hate them
Snakes - hate them
Lizards - hate them
Frogs - hate them too
It turns out according to Wikipedia that frogs aren't reptiles. They're "amphibian". Wikipedia also lists that the Fire Salamander (Salamandra salamandra) is another amphibian too, and not a reptile either. Now to me that's just a regular plain ugly lizard. A reptile I say. It doesn't really matter what it does at bedtime. What matters is that it's ugly, slimy, crusty, crackly, crawly and I hate it. I say lump them back with reptiles.In return, I really would like turtles to be classified apart, separate from reptiles, as I like them. They're not mean, and they're not disgusting. I'll accept though that they are somewhat dumb. But still, I think they're good-hearted. I would like to appeal for reclassification on their behalf.
From Mike in the USA
YOUR SAY:
What about toads?
Mandy, UK
It's along the same lines as wanting to reclassify clownfish (aka Nemo), because they're too cute to be fish.
John Barr, Sydney
Aren't turtles ugly, slimy, crusty, crackly & crawly? Definitely a reptile dude.
Yuki, Somewhere
A frog is the resulting half life of a turtle. They are both amphibious, both cold blooded. Whether the question of when is a frog not a frog a philosophical one remains to be seen. A frog is no longer a frog when it ceases to retain the genetic codes of a frog or when it evolves or devolves depending on it's sucess in it's eco-system.
Vast Mass, New Jersey
When this so called frog evolves to adapt to a dryer living condition, and retains water in the skin and only comes to the water to breed, and maybe for food or water. It depends on how much water is around.
Richard, Massachusetts
I'm arachnophobic. I used to think that harvestmen (Order Opiliones) were spiders (Order Araneae), and was equally disgusted by both. However, when I discovered that harvestmen, though arachnids, are not technically spiders, I immediately stopped feeling like puking when I saw them, and now find their company quite lovely. Taxonomic therapy in action.
Phil, Birmingham
Just a note to say that in the UK we commonly distinguish between marine 'turtles' and land 'tortoises' (and freshwater 'terrapins'), which a lot of other countries or languages don't. My favourites are the turtles - I wouldn't class them as dumb and (in the water at least) they are definitely not slowcoaches. Still, all the above are classed as "Chelonia", so there, they do have their own private club.
Jason, Southampton
Mandy, UK
It's along the same lines as wanting to reclassify clownfish (aka Nemo), because they're too cute to be fish.
John Barr, Sydney
Aren't turtles ugly, slimy, crusty, crackly & crawly? Definitely a reptile dude.
Yuki, Somewhere
A frog is the resulting half life of a turtle. They are both amphibious, both cold blooded. Whether the question of when is a frog not a frog a philosophical one remains to be seen. A frog is no longer a frog when it ceases to retain the genetic codes of a frog or when it evolves or devolves depending on it's sucess in it's eco-system.
Vast Mass, New Jersey
When this so called frog evolves to adapt to a dryer living condition, and retains water in the skin and only comes to the water to breed, and maybe for food or water. It depends on how much water is around.
Richard, Massachusetts
I'm arachnophobic. I used to think that harvestmen (Order Opiliones) were spiders (Order Araneae), and was equally disgusted by both. However, when I discovered that harvestmen, though arachnids, are not technically spiders, I immediately stopped feeling like puking when I saw them, and now find their company quite lovely. Taxonomic therapy in action.
Phil, Birmingham
Just a note to say that in the UK we commonly distinguish between marine 'turtles' and land 'tortoises' (and freshwater 'terrapins'), which a lot of other countries or languages don't. My favourites are the turtles - I wouldn't class them as dumb and (in the water at least) they are definitely not slowcoaches. Still, all the above are classed as "Chelonia", so there, they do have their own private club.
Jason, Southampton
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