Slippery Salamanders Cross Without Caution
April 8, 2001

With the advent of predicted warm spring rains, start watching for the annual migration of salamanders as they cross highways, moving from one wet spot to another, that may be wetter. At times, this movement can amount to a stampede, with the resulting unavoidable carnage of crushed bodies.

Because they are light-shunning, moisture-loving, nocturnal creatures, salamanders are not generally familiar.. Unlike lizards that have dry scaly skin, salamanders have a scaleless, moist skin that with most species cannot withstand exposure to the sun. Like frogs and toads, the larvae begin life in the water.

The most common species in this area is the blue spotted salamander (Ambystoma laterale). As it is very similar to the Jefferson's (Ambystoma Jeffersonianum) there are conflicting identification agreements even among "experts" in the various available literature.

The bluish black or dark brown color of these species is usually broken by numerous white flecks concentrated on the sides. The shape might be compared to a tailed frog.

Breeding starts in early spring when hibernating adults are aroused from hibernation by warm rains. They then migrate to breeding ponds or pools in numbers. A cold snap will temporarily stop the migration.

Courtship may occur in any woodland pool. Salamanders do not seem to distinguish permanent from temporary wet sites and one may dry up before the larvae turn into adults.

Mating is accomplished by the male depositing sperm on any object on the bottom of the pool such as a leaf or stone. The female then picks it up and places it in position to fertilize her eggs. When ready to lay her eggs she selects a twig or stem a few inches under the water. A final complement of eggs may range from 100 to 300, and end up as a cylindrical mass on the twig.

Incubation time averages about 40 days. The hatchlings, about one-half inch long, feed on various small aquatic creatures. After about 125 days they become adults and can live on land. Around two years of age they reach a length of 7 inches.

Salamanders are mostly nocturnal, but may venture out on cloudy days. they burrow under loose soil or leaf mold or under a cavity under a log or stone. If the Woodland Dunes staff is successful in finding one, it will be shared with the students attending the spring Amphibmeander program in May.

Earthworms, millipedes and spiders will be the natural acceptable food for aquarium salamanders as well as those in the woods.

Preferring a cool climate, the local species may range from southeastern Canada to the northeastern United States where it is usually abundant.

If the weatherman predicts "warm showers" in the near future, watch for salamander migrations and wish the 'Dunes' staff luck in finding specimens to share with visiting third graders.