Searching for Salamanders
Searching for Salamander is a great outdoor activity for all ages! Salamanders, like frogs and toads, are amphibians meaning they lead a "double life." They spend their early existence as aquatic animals before undergoing metamorphosis and transforming into land-based ones. Unlike frogs, salamanders keep their tails into adulthood and move around by crawling rather than jumping.
While you may see one scurrying along the trail and ducking under leaves, your best bet is to find them under dead trees and logs- with an activity we often do call Log Rolling. As with everything in nature, respect and safety are the names of the game. You don’t want to hurt the animal or damage its home so be sure to do your log rolling carefully and mindfully.
Place your feet approx. 1 foot away from a log and reach over to the other side of the log, then GENTLY roll the log towards you . If you find a salamander PLEASE don't touch it! Your hands have bug spray, hand sanitizer, and/or your own natural oils on them which will damage their ability to breathe, which they do through their skin! If the salamander moves from their depression under the log, scoot them out after observing them and then roll the log back so they can burrow under again. Be sure to roll the log exactly as it was as to not dry out their underground home
After the rain is best time to look for salamanders (along with frogs!) but sunny days work as well. The list below is of all the salamanders that call New York home, but in our area, you’re most likely to find the Red Backed (most easily found), and Spotted (which are mostly nocturnal). You can learn all about the Salamanders of New York State with this wonderful identification guide from New York State Conservationist. #TogetherOutside
Mudpuppy
Marbled Salamander
Jefferson Salamander (Special Concern)
Blue-spotted Salamander (Special Concern)
Jefferson Salamander Complex (Hybrid)
Spotted Salamander (Special Concern)
Eastern Tiger Salamander (Endangered)
Red-spotted Newt
Northern Dusky Salamander
Mountain Dusky Salamander
Redback Salamander
Eastern Hellbender (Special Concern)
Northern Slimy Salamander
Wehrle's Salamander
Four-toed Salamander
Northern Spring Salamander
Northern Red Salamander
By Joanna Marvel with information from Carl Heitmuller