Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Does anyone know about spotted salamander breeding this time of year for New England. It's going to be 40-50F tommorow night in MA and raining. Does anyone know if spotteds will be out? Is there only one big breeding night or is there a chance to find them on severeal rainy occasions around this timr of year? Has anyone in New England found any wild spotteds yet this year or have any tips on finidng them?

Thanks

That sounds like spotted breeding weather, especially if the rains go on for a day or two. At least down here in Tennessee, spotteds have a prolonged breeding season, lasting up to several weeks.

look for spotteds in fishless ponds and shallow depressions that hold water a good chunk of the time. you can check these water holes at night w/ a light, put out minnow traps, or road cruise these areas on rainy nights. that's my 2 cents- good luck.

I'm a little late in posting but the Spotted's are definitely out here in VT and have been breeding for a couple weeks at lower elevations. In higher places they are still just starting. There may be some good crossing weather in the next week but if not you should still be able to see them in the ponds at night if you go out with a flashlight. Any pond that has eggs or spermataphores should still have some spotteds in it even if the busy season is over. Careful using traps though, you may need a non-game collection permit to use any methods that trap and hold animals while you are away.