My herp professor was Bette Bechtel. Her husband was the dermatologist in town. They had a whole wing in their house dedicated to studying albinism in corn snakes. They had over 100 snakes in that place, a few exotic species as well. Mrs. Bechtel taught the nursing students Anatomy and Physiology, she was a nurse herself. But Herpetology was her passion. She had several degrees as well as her nursing degree. She was also my advisor. She helped me through some tough times in my college career. She was more than just an advisor.

Since I graduated in '79, alot of things have changed at that school. It is now a university and the Biology department is huge! And they have a football team!!!

That's right about the herp bug...once bitten you can never really give it up. I love going through the herpetatium at the Fort Worth Zoo. They have some of the most unusual amphibians in the world. Like the tomatoe frog and poison dart frogs. I try to go once a year just to see what they've gotten.

Donna