Here is your vernal pool fact of the day. Spotted salamanders are the quintessential poster children for vernal pools. They were out in my vernal pool in full force last night. They belong to a group of salamanders called mole salamanders. This is because they spend their time during the day in underground burrows. They only emerge on rainy nights. The males arrive at the vernal pools before the females. They deposit packets of sperm called spermatophores on the bottom of the vernal pool. When the females arrive, the males do a spiralling underwater dance to entice them to choose their special gift. The female will sit on the spermatophore of her choice which will then fertilize her large mass of eggs. Not very romantic, I know. The eggs expand when they are being layed. It's a cool process to witness. On a good night, there are hundreds of these salamanders. I simply ADORE them! #vernalpools #salamanders #spottedsalamanders #natureclub

Posted by Mel Grosvenor at 2021-03-12 13:27:58 UTC