TIMES DISPATCH (Richmond, Virginia) 23 February 05 Salamanders pony up to a little liquid lust - Warm rain sparks the creatures' annual trek toward breeding pool
For the South Side salamanders, Monday night's warm rain might as well have been a starting gun.
The creatures, cigar-sized am- phibians called spotted salamanders, made their move from their underground homes to their breeding pool along Riverside Drive just west of the Pony Pasture.
Ralph White, manager of the James River Park System, said a handful of people turned out late Monday and early yesterday and found the salamanders in the pool.
Spotted salamanders -- dark, froglike animals with bright yellow spots -- live underground almost all year. But on one or more rainy nights from mid-February to mid-March, they climb out and crawl to the pond in which they hatched. In the pond, they perform an amorous, swimming courtship dance, and they breed.
Spotted salamanders are not rare overall, but they are increasingly uncommon in developed urban and suburban areas. The tiny Riverside Drive population is clinging to life despite threats such as cars and raccoons.
The annual salamander migration has become an offbeat event in South Richmond, drawing adults and children. With the neighborhood's blessing, White closes Riverside Drive on nights the animals might be moving.
Tom Thorp, manager of Three Lakes Nature Center in Henrico County, said the salamanders should remain in the pool for several days, if not weeks.
"They will wait for the next warm, rainy night to get out," Thorp said.
On nights when the temperature is above 40, people may see the salamanders in the pool. (They are inactive if it's colder.) But the animals are shy and may be tough to spot.
If you look for them, stand back and watch with a flashlight. Spectators should not enter the pond or try to touch the animals.
Salamander Watch: Call Ralph White, manager of the James River Park System, at (804) 646-8911.
Salamanders pony up to a little liquid lust