Young Beatrix Potter took an early interest in the animal world, adopting frogs, newts and bats as childhood pets. She would observe them for hours at a time, studying their movements and drawing detailed sketches. Although her conservative parents had domestic expectations for her, Beatrix grew up to become an influential microbiologist. On holiday in Scotland in 1893, she recalled her childhood pets and wrote a short story about rabbits for her friend's young son. In 1901, at her friend's urging, Beatrix set out to find a publisher for her story, titled The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Mr. McGregor's Garden.