Looks like the Nat'l Zoo needs to update their page on Eastern Red-Back Salamanders to include New England. This page seems to have updated ranges for them (& a cool photo at top

Boy, that’s an odd coloration. Almost has racing stripes like a two line! Matt -- Matt Burne Senior Ecologist, BSC Group, Inc. Vice-President, Vernal Pool Association

I wish websites wouldn't use the word "phase". The coloration of red- or lead-backed salamanders isn't transitory, as suggested by the use of the word "phase". "Morph" or "form" is more accurate,

https://nationalzoo.si.edu/animals/eastern-red-backed-salamander#:~:text=The%20lead%2Dback%20phase%20salamanders,They%20also%20lack%20lungs. Eastern red-backed salamanders can occur in two color

Hi All, My kid's preschool class found this today in Amherst, MA (Hampshire County). Could anyone help with ID? Thanks!!

Here in the city I do not have access to any of the early season breeding amphibians, so I have to wait until it warms to 60 degrees in the evening so the Fowlers Toads and Gray Tree Frogs are warm

Very nice, thanks for sharing. Matt -- Matt Burne Senior Ecologist, BSC Group, Inc. Vice-President, Vernal Pool Association

Hi- I was looking online for additional images of Daphnia, after I observed some the other day in a pool in NH and came across this great resource on vernal pools with incredible photography -- and a

We try to keep fundraising asks out of the vernal pool listserve (note that Vernal Pool Association which has hosted this list since 2001 has never asked for support here). Please refrain from doing

Hostile developers are exploiting the state’s affordable housing act to the detriment of local communities and environmental resources. Town officials are in a tough spot because of ambiguous laws

What a beautiful morning! Ducks appeared last night for a visit to our Vernal Pool (: 🦆🦆🦆

Thanks for this info, Matt! Will have to keep checking in to see how many egg masses accumulate over the next few weeks.

Our FOY gray treefrog heard yesterday morning. Sun, 65 degrees. Cindi Kobak Guilford, CT

Hi Nellie, Yes, there's a delay of a few days between fertilization and deposition. Spermatophores are viable for several days, and will be added to over the course of the breeding period, with

I've been seeing a lot of spermataphores in the vernal pools around where I live in Chesterfield, MA but not very many spotted salamander egg masses (the ones I have seen are all small and look to

Yesterday - April 11th. Duxbury, MA

Thanks for posting! What date did you see them?

I know I'm among experts here but thought you would get a kick out of a newbie getting way too excited seeing Fairy Shrimp for the first time. I found them in 2 of the vernal pools by my house :) Pure

There is PVP in Dedham that was illegally drained in early 2020. It was never surveyed prior to 2020, so there was no evidence of obligate species prior to this activity. Neighbors report spring

I'm with Carol. The photos don't provide the necessary data - the ridge as described. The final close up of its head leaves me thinking male bullfrog. But again, it's non decisive. It is, however, one