May Salamander Finds

A quick update from the "Salamander team" consisting of Jeff LeClere, Carol Hall, Andrew Herberg, Melissa Boman, Adam Maleski, Jared Cruz (Minnesota Biological Survey GIS Support Specialist), and Shelby Bauer (SNA Web and Social Media Specialist). In general, four-toed salamanders (Hemidactylium scutatum) and spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) seemed to be present at historic sites, which is excellent news! Interesting observations include two communal four-toed salamander nests consisting of more than 400 eggs at two different sites, spotted salamanders laying eggs in water-filled forest road ruts, 116 spotted salamander egg masses found in one wetland, a female four-toed salamander on her back laying eggs in a moss hummock, and a female four-toed salamander actively fleeing a nest and swimming away prior to nest disturbance.

Fun salamander resources

• Find fun facts in this Young Naturalists Article.
• Learn more with the "Six Slippery Salamanders" classroom activities.

Adult spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum, found under a log.

Adult spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum, found under a log due to all the recent rain.

Melissa Boman holding a blue-spotted salamander, Ambystoma laterale.

Jeff LeClere holding spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum, egg masses that are in the later stages of development.

Spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum, egg mass attached to a submerged twig.

Spotted salamander, Ambystoma maculatum, embryo developing in the egg.

Larval salamander showing balancers that drop off soon after hatching.

Carol Hall and Melissa Boman searching through a sphagnum moss hummock for four-toed salamanders, Hemidactylium scutatum.

Adult four-toed salamander, Hemidactylium scutatum.

Adult female four-toed salamander, Hemidactylium scutatum, guarding her nest of eggs in a moss hummock.

Adult gravid female four-toed salamander, Hemidactylium scutatum.

Spring peepers, Pseudacris crucifer, are often seen and heard during our salamander surveys.