Favorite Signs of Spring
One of my favorite signs of spring is discovering amphibian eggs, whether they be frog, toad, or salamander. I was very happy when we found salamanders and their eggs while opening the fish pond at Bayfields.
Eggs of the Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) found in the fish pond at Bayfields, April 5, 2013
We discovered three Spotted Salamanders, (Ambystoma maculatum).
Spotted Salamander 1.
(Ambystoma maculatum) found in the fish pond at Bayfields, April 5, 2013
Each one has a unique spot pattern.
Spotted Salamander 2.
(Ambystoma maculatum) found in the fish pond at Bayfields, April 5, 2013
Spotted Salamander 3.
(Ambystoma maculatum) found in the fish pond at Bayfields, April 5, 2013
We let them go, back into the pond. They are active at night. After the salamanders are done with breeding and egg laying, they will return to their underground burrows in the woods. The eggs will hatch in May-June, with feathery gills, and no hind limbs. The new generation of spotted salamanders will leave the pond in August or September, travel back to their forest home, and get there spots soon after.
You can learn more about the Spotted Salamander at the Maryland Department Of Natural Resources page, and the Towson University Herpetology page for the Spotted Salamander.
~Holly
Bayfields is a bed and breakfast on the West River, in Maryland, with a great view of the Chesapeake Bay. Make your reservations to travel to visit us! You can learn more, and make your reservations, with bnb, here.
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