Amphibian Spring Crossings

Salamander crossing road - by inkoalseibua from Pixabay

Spring has arrived in New Jersey despite this week being quite chilly, windy. Our hibernating amphibians – the frogs, salamanders, and toads – are waiting for the warmer days and spring rains that signal to them to leave winter homes, come out and start mating.

Part of that spring ritual often includes crossing roadways and that is dangerous. It's not always a long journey. It might be a hundred yards. It might be further but crossing a busy roadway even a short distance might be life-threatening. It doesn't help that they are also not at full strength. Rainy, foggy nights and the darkness also help keep them hidden from predators like owls and raccoons.

On the first warm, rainy nights of spring amphibians start to move. From below ground come spotted salamanders, Jefferson salamanders, wood frogs and spring peepers. Where are they headed? To vernal pools.  

See a list of New Jersey’s amphibian species and
listen to recorded frog and toad calls state.nj.us/dep/fgw/ensp/fieldguide_herps.htm

This movement can happen as early as February if we have a mild winter and some warm, rainy days and nights, but it can also be as late as April if the ground is still partly frozen or covered with snow. 

Volunteers and the staff from Conserve Wildlife Foundation have been acting as “amphibian crossing guards” at locations in Warren and Sussex counties. 

To learn more about the Conserve Wildlife Foundation’s
amphibian crossing program, go to
conservewildlifenj.org/protecting/projects/amphibian_crossing/

Searching for amphibians crossing with kids and rescuing them from harm is a great activity and a chance to be a wildlife superhero. Here are a few guidebooks. Check in your local library too.