Second Nature March of the Salamanders By Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center
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ave you seen the early morning sunlight defrosting the earth? Have you smelled the fresh, crisp air welcoming a new season? This is the sure sign that March has arrived! This is also the time of year when, beneath the snow and frozen soil, a host of amphibians snooze in yellow polkadotted pajamas. They await their big moment of the year – and if this year is like most, it is only a few weeks away. These black, eight-inch long spotted salamanders are called mole salamanders. And when the first thawing rain reaches them, their big moment begins. On the first rainy nights after the ground thaws, with temperatures above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, many salamanders begin the annual trek to their breeding pools. No obstacle is deemed insurmountable, as the enticing vernal pool and thoughts of breeding lie ahead. Once in the water, buoyant and gregarious, the salamanders assemble for their annual ball. The males arrive first, but they aren’t shy about getting the dance started once the females appear. This courtship ritual typically occurs in vernal pools — temporary wetlands that hold spring rain and snow melt. In this habitat, amphibian eggs are safe from predators such as fish. When the weather is right, find a local vernal pool and invite your children on a “sala-meandering” adventure. Dress properly, don’t forget your camera and watch where you step – these little creatures are quite delicate and blend into their surroundings well. During your vernal pool visit, remember to never remove egg masses from their attachment site. Below is a book list that may help you get oriented, so you can point out salamander eggs and other cool discoveries along the way. “Salamander Rain” by Kristin Joy Pratt-Serafini “The Salamander Room” by Anne Mazer “A Salamander’s Life” by John Himmelman “Snakes, Salamanders and Lizards” by Diane Burns
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“A Field Guide to the Animals of Vernal Pools” by Leo P. Kenney and Matthew R. Burne This year the salamanders will once again head to the pools they have used for hundreds, or perhaps even thousands, of years. However, our increasing sprawl of houses, shopping centers, roads and cars make it challenging for these little guys to arrive to the ball on time, if at all. In areas where salamanders are forced to cross wide, busy roads, populations of these animals are likely to disappear. Can salamanders survive the impact of this new source of mortality over the long term? One thing you can do to help these cool creatures is to gather your young friends and participate as a salamander crossing guard. To get more information about this project, visit our website at beec.org/get-involved/conservationprojects/salamanders. You can also avoid driving on rainy nights in March and April. Should you be out driving on such a night, keep an alert eye out for “little sticks” in the road, a great task for antsy passengers. If you can safely pull over, a closer look might reveal a salamander bewildered by this world of asphalt and rushing tires. Give it a lift across the road and you will be helping to perpetuate an old tradition and saving a very important animal in its essential march. This month, bring the kids in grades K-5 on their day of no school for a Nature Day at BEEC to explore the warming world on March 6, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Trails are open to the public, sunrise to sunset, seven days a week, at 1223 Bonnyvale Road in West Brattleboro. For more information, call 802-257-5785 or visit beec.org. BEEC is a membersupported, nonprofit organization.
parentexpress • March 2018
