Class Mascot

This is something that I had to think about long and hard before I arrived at the now obvious answer. I think that the College of Charleston Spring 2013 Herpetology class mascot should be the Spotted Salamander, Ambystoma maculatum. Now, some of you may be wondering why on Earth I would choose that rather seemingly unimportant amphibian. Well, did you know that the Spotted Salamander is actually South Carolina's state amphibian? Since our class is held in the wonderful state of South Carolina, it is only fitting that we pick a mascot that has been found worthy to represent the state as well. If that is not enough reason to convince you to pick the Spotted Salamander as our class mascot, then let me tell you something else. Did you know that the reason the Spotted Salamander was made South Carolina's state reptile in the first place was because a 3rd grade class in Woodlands Heights Elementary School from Spartanburg, SC were aghast to find that SC had no state amphibian. In response to this shocking news, they decided to write state legislatures imploring them to make the Spotted Salamander the state amphibian. After an initial let down, Governor Beasley officially declared the Spotted Salamander the state's official amphibian on June 11, 1999. If a group of 3rd graders worked so hard to make this little amphibian famous, then I think he more then deserves a place as our class mascot. In conclusion, I would just like to say three cheers for Ambystoma maculatum!!!

Link for more info: http://www.netstate.com/states/symb/amphibians/sc_spotted_salamander.htm