Big Night Amphibs

Why did the salamander cross the road? To get to the other side. Seriously.

On a rainy April night (at least, that’s the case here in Maine), head out after dark to a local road bordering a wetland and look for amphibians—frogs and salamanders—crossing the road. They do this to get to a suitable ponded water to lay eggs.

Tonight was one of those nights. It has been raining all day with the forecast calling for it to let up after midnight. Natalie, Anouk, and I walked over to a small pool we had previously staked out on Sandy Lane. During an hour out, we helped about thirty Spotted Salamanders cross the road in hopes that they don’t become flattened fauna.

What a fun night to hold these six-inch-long amphibians with the yellow spots.