© Lora Denis
Spotted salamander © Tricia Stinnissen
Spotted salamanders spend the majority of their time underground and out of sight. However, every spring they emerge to breed and lay eggs in the low lying areas of forests that fill up with water, which are called vernal pools. Spotted salamander eggs are easy to identify because they often have a bright green glow. ...
Vernal pool © Scott Gillingwater
In honour of World Wetlands Day on February 2, let’s pay tribute to vernal pools. Due to their small size and transient nature, vernal pools are a type of wetland that is easily overlooked. While brimming with water in spring, they may be nothing more than a dry, isolated, depression on the forest floor by ...
April 21, 2016–Ontario Nature
Community Science•Nature Reserves•Reptiles and Amphibians•Wetlands
Vernal pool, Altberg Nature Reserve © Noah Cole
After a warm winter and chilly start to spring, I joined my Ontario Nature co-workers at Altberg Wildlife Sanctuary Nature Reserve for a good old-fashioned salamander sleuthing event, our first of the season. The Altberg reserve is a tranquil property that has great trails and several vernal pools that are home to a variety of ...