Day 307: Work on the footbridge at Lake Tipsoo was interrupted by the need for a rescue. One of the crew had discovered a Long-Toed Salamander (Ambystoma macrodactylum) in a shovelful of soil. The little guy was retrieved unharmed, introduced to everyone in the group and then was released back into the safety of shoreline vegetation. This common species has a range of up to 9000' elevation in the Pacific Northwest. They emerge and migrate to their breeding waters even while snow is still on the ground. They reach sexual maturity at 2-3 years of age, and may live as long as 10 years. A "mole salamander," they frequently occupy rodent burrows during hibernation, undoubtedly where this little feller was hiding out until his rest was disturbed by trail crew's excavation. One lucky little salamander here!
No comments:
Post a Comment