It’s been a rainy year across the Commonwealth and as we begin 2019, it doesn’t seem like much has changed. Fortunately, for most of our amphibian friends, this is not a bad thing.

Our frogs, salamanders and newts need moisture to survive and Virginia has plenty of it. So where are our native amphibians anyway? This time of year, our frogs and salamanders are in a state of brumation, which is just a fancy word for hibernation of reptiles and amphibians. But soon they’ll be on the move, specifically our spotted salamanders. So, here are some questions and answers to help you see these critters in action in our parks as the weather warms up.

Did you know Virginia is home to 50 salamander species?

Two adult spotted salamanders found in a small pool of water at Staunton River Battlefield State Park

Where are these salamanders going?

Spotted salamanders are not very active during their period of brumation. Now that the air is warming and spring showers are coming, the salamanders can awaken from their slumber with one thing on their mind, reproduction. Unlike humans, wildlife have less ambitious goals in life. If they can sleep, eat, and reproduce, they’re pretty happy.

Similar to frogs, salamanders go through a life cycle where their juvenile phase is spent completely in the water, so the best place for breeding is vernal pools. A vernal pool occurs seasonally and typically reaches its maximum depth by the spring. This makes an excellent site for laying eggs and provides a home for the salamander during first part of its life.

Two spotted salamanders relaxing in shallow water

What do they do when they get there?

Spotted salamanders typically retreat to the same breeding grounds each year. Once these locations are known, it’s fairly certain you can spot these critters again each year. Once they arrive to their pool, the males and females will go through a period of courtship and the females will lay their eggs in large gelatinous masses. One female can lay up to 100 eggs in one mass.

These eggs then hatch within one or two months and the juvenile salamanders will develop for an additional two to four months. Then they are ready to leave the pool and begin their life as a terrestrial salamander.

A spotted salamander gliding through a puddle

How can I find them?

If you’re looking to catch a glimpse of these salamanders in action, later winter and early spring is the best time to visit the parks. This is when vernal pools can pop up anywhere in the park. As the temperatures begin to rise, salamanders will move in great numbers to these breeding spots. Be sure to tread carefully with your feet and your vehicles.

If you do find a salamander or egg mass, remember to not disturb them but certainly take pictures. Our rangers love to see wildlife that guests find and will share with other rangers across the state.

To see photos of all 50 salamander species in Virginia, with more information, visit the Virginia Herpetological Society website here.

If you're interesting in a park nature program or event at Staunton River Battlefield State Park, just click here to search our events database. Or, for more information on finding a park near you, click here.