{"id":12572,"date":"2019-04-15T06:35:52","date_gmt":"2019-04-15T10:35:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/?p=12572"},"modified":"2019-04-15T11:58:04","modified_gmt":"2019-04-15T15:58:04","slug":"take-5-salamander-swarm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-salamander-swarm\/","title":{"rendered":"Take 5: Salamander Swarm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Every year, warming spring days trigger amphibians like spotted salamanders and wood frogs to migrate en masse<\/em> to vernal pools<\/a> to breed on the night of the first soaking rain above 45\u00b0F\u2014a phenomenon known as \u201cBig Night.\u201d This spectacular annual event is taking place all across Massachusetts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vernal pools<\/a> are temporary, isolated ponds that form when spring rain and meltwater from ice and snow flood into woodland hollows and low meadows. These pools provide critical breeding habitat for certain amphibian and invertebrate species\u2014since vernal pools eventually dry up, they are inaccessible and inhospitable to predatory fish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To celebrate the return of spring and the mass migration now taking place all around us, here are five great photos of native salamanders. Note that not all salamanders migrate to and breed in vernal pools\u2014the eastern red-backed salamander, for example, has no aquatic larval stage at all, so you’re most likely to find one under a moist, rotting log or rock while northern dusky salamanders are stream denizens and lay their eggs in flowing seeps in June or July.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Blue-spotted
Blue-spotted Salamander \u00a9 Patrick Randall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Eastern
Eastern Red-backed Salamander \u00a9 Chris Liazos<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Spotted
Spotted Salamander \u00a9 Ryan Dorsey\/Mass Audubon<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Northern
Northern Dusky Salamander \u00a9 Patrick Randall<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Blue-spotted
Blue-spotted Salamander \u00a9 Brendan Cramphorn<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Every year, warming spring days trigger amphibians like spotted salamanders and wood frogs to migrate en masse to vernal pools to breed on the night of the first soaking rain above 45\u00b0F\u2014a phenomenon known as \u201cBig Night.\u201d This spectacular annual event is taking place all across Massachusetts. Vernal pools are temporary, isolated ponds that form when […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":68,"featured_media":12577,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[6,158],"tags":[19,83,84,88,96,301],"class_list":["post-12572","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-general","category-take-5","tag-amphibians","tag-photo-contest","tag-photography","tag-salamanders","tag-spring","tag-vernal-pools"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2019\/04\/DSC_0593.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p3t87A-3gM","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13686,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-wonderful-wood-frogs\/","url_meta":{"origin":12572,"position":0},"title":"Take 5: Wonderful Wood Frogs","author":"Ryan D.","date":"March 16, 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"Warming spring days trigger amphibians like Wood Frogs and Spotted Salamanders to migrate to vernal pools to breed, often in great numbers, on the night of the first soaking rain above 45\u00b0F\u2014a phenomenon known as \u201cBig Night.\u201d Vernal pools\u00a0are temporary, isolated ponds that form when spring rain and meltwater from\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Wood Frog \u00a9 Jane Parker","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/03\/1780Jane_Parker10325.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/03\/1780Jane_Parker10325.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/03\/1780Jane_Parker10325.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2020\/03\/1780Jane_Parker10325.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":1801,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/getting-ready-for-the-big-night\/","url_meta":{"origin":12572,"position":1},"title":"Getting ready for The Big Night","author":"Mass Audubon","date":"March 13, 2013","format":false,"excerpt":"Sun is shining and birds are singing! You know what that means: spring is upon us, and some very important ecosystems are becoming active once again.\u00a0Among the most critical and vulnerable of these ecosystems is the vernal pool. What's a Vernal Pool? The quintessential vernal pool is an isolated, semi-permanent\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Nature Notes"","block_context":{"text":"Nature Notes","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/nature-notes\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2013\/03\/salamander.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":5117,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-big-night\/","url_meta":{"origin":12572,"position":2},"title":"Take 5: Big Night","author":"Rosemary","date":"March 30, 2015","format":false,"excerpt":"There is an incredible phenomenon that happens every spring in Massachusetts. On the first\u00a0rainy nights\u00a0when the temperature is around 45\u00b0F or higher, certain amphibians such as\u00a0wood frogs and spotted salamanders emerge en masse from their wintering sites, heading to\u00a0temporary water bodies called vernal pools\u00a0to breed.\u00a0It's an event often dubbed Big\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/03\/Jane-Parker-2014.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/03\/Jane-Parker-2014.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2015\/03\/Jane-Parker-2014.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15269,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/take-5-hopping-into-march\/","url_meta":{"origin":12572,"position":3},"title":"Take 5: Hopping into March","author":"Kelly R.","date":"March 1, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"As we enter March, look to the frog for inspiration on how to make the most of this transitional season: get outdoors and make some noise, soak up the sun, and look for seasonal oases around you. While Massachusetts thaws, woodland hollows and low areas flood, creating temporary isolated pools.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Take 5"","block_context":{"text":"Take 5","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/take-5\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Green Frog","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/03\/4717martha_pfeiffer21535-720x480-94a2dac7-2021-47cc-8fa6-c848e94dae03.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/03\/4717martha_pfeiffer21535-720x480-94a2dac7-2021-47cc-8fa6-c848e94dae03.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/03\/4717martha_pfeiffer21535-720x480-94a2dac7-2021-47cc-8fa6-c848e94dae03.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2021\/03\/4717martha_pfeiffer21535-720x480-94a2dac7-2021-47cc-8fa6-c848e94dae03.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7311,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/5-fun-facts-about-moose-hill\/","url_meta":{"origin":12572,"position":4},"title":"5 Fun Facts About Moose Hill","author":"Hillary T.","date":"March 29, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"By Karen Stein, Moose Hill Sanctuary Director I am often reminded as I meet people on the trails at Moose Hill\u00a0in Sharon\u00a0or as I go about work in town, that the land \u201cup on the hill\u201d has really been a part of the lives of so many people for such\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Sanctuaries 100"","block_context":{"text":"Sanctuaries 100","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/sanctuaries-100\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/03\/GeorgeandMarthaMooseHill.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/03\/GeorgeandMarthaMooseHill.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/03\/GeorgeandMarthaMooseHill.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7299,"url":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/things-to-do-this-weekend-march-26-27\/","url_meta":{"origin":12572,"position":5},"title":"Things To Do This Weekend: March 26-27","author":"Hillary T.","date":"March 24, 2016","format":false,"excerpt":"A sheep festival, mud art, an egg hunt, and a bat house building workshop are a few of the ways you can celebrate nature with us this weekend. See all the programs and register online. Greater Boston Celebrate the coming of spring at Woolapalooza, Drumlin Farm's\u00a0annual festival featuring fiber, food,\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Get Outdoors"","block_context":{"text":"Get Outdoors","link":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/category\/get-outdoors\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/03\/sheep-e1458845408572.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/03\/sheep-e1458845408572.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/20\/2016\/03\/sheep-e1458845408572.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12572","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/68"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12572"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12572\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":12581,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12572\/revisions\/12581"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12577"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12572"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12572"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.massaudubon.org\/yourgreatoutdoors\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12572"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}