Conversations with kids.... Fisher, age 6

Fisher is 6. I work with his dad, who is a herpetologist. Fisher's a friendly towheaded kid who is great at catching frogs and salamanders.

Katie: “Hey, Fisher.”
Fisher: “Hey…. Were you the one snorkeling around in the pond today?”
Katie: “Yep.”
Fisher: “Did you see anything cool?”
Katie: “Not really. It was actually kind of boring. But, I saw lots of newts and bullfrog tadpoles.”
Fisher: “Hey, have you ever seen a hellbender?”
Katie: “Yeah.”
Fisher: “How big was it?”
Katie: (holding hands about a foot wide) “About this big.”
Fisher: “There are bigger salamanders in China.”
Katie: “I know.”
Fisher: “Sometimes people eat them.” Pause. “Do salamanders ever eat people?”
Katie: “Yeah, sometimes. When they’re really hungry, newts will nibble on your toes.”
Fisher: “And tiger salamanders?”
Katie: “They’re called that because they’re the most vicious. (Nodding convincingly) Ask your dad.”