Dumb post, but it is finally spring for this northerner...

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Andy Avram
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Location: NE Ohio

Dumb post, but it is finally spring for this northerner...

Post by Andy Avram »

Title says it all.

Spotted Salamander tonight. First I have seen of these, but some have been moving the last week or so.
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Jefferson Salamander tonight. Many in the ponds, along with eggs.
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Also saw Red-spotted Newts and Spring Peepers.

Then on a sadder note, my California Kingsnake died the other day. Had it since 6th grade, making it 20 years.
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Andy
mikemike
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Re: Dumb post, but it is finally spring for this northerner.

Post by mikemike »

Bummer about the king, Andy. That's a tough one for sure. Congrats on keeping it so long though, man.
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Gary2sons
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Location: Camden County, Missouri

Re: Dumb post, but it is finally spring for this northerner.

Post by Gary2sons »

Yes a real bummer on your king. 20 years is a long time!

Nice spotted salamander. They have really been sporadic here in Missouri. Only 3 egg masses in our pond and no more after a decent rain this past weekend.

Gary
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Joey Kennedy
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Re: Dumb post, but it is finally spring for this northerner.

Post by Joey Kennedy »

I really wanna find a spotted salamander, can please tell me exactly what you did, I am really struggling to get one. I already know vernal pools, rainy nights, i know all that. But howd u find it? In leaves? in the water? Howd you find it? :mrgreen:
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Chris Smith
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Re: Dumb post, but it is finally spring for this northerner.

Post by Chris Smith »

My condolences on the lost of the snake!

Glad to see stuff is moving down 'south'!

-Chris
Paul White
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Re: Dumb post, but it is finally spring for this northerner.

Post by Paul White »

Sucks about the kingsnake man :( At least you gavei t a good home for 20 years right?
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Andy Avram
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Location: NE Ohio

Re: Dumb post, but it is finally spring for this northerner.

Post by Andy Avram »

Yeah, I think the snake had a good long life, even though I know they can go longer. Got her as a hatchling. Now I am snakeless as far as pets and will probably stay that way for awhile.

Chris, in regards to most of the herpers on here, I consider myself a northerner. We get our fair share of snow, usually through April, especially in my corner of Ohio.

Joe, dude, you just need to find the vernal pools. Go out at night. Not sure exactly where you are, but get your hand on a state herp atlas and see if you even have recent Spotted Salamander records around you. They are super common around me, but west of Cleveland they are hard to come by. You could be in a dead zone in you state.
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Joey Kennedy
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Re: Dumb post, but it is finally spring for this northerner.

Post by Joey Kennedy »

What exactly do you do at night? I have the pools and I know b/c of the atlas that theyre around here. I just needa know the technique? What do you do outside?
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Andy Avram
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Location: NE Ohio

Re: Dumb post, but it is finally spring for this northerner.

Post by Andy Avram »

Walk around the pond with a good flashlight, one that cuts through the water (honestly, a 3-cell MagLite works best for me). Look for spermataphores (little white dots of salamander sperm, eggs or salamanders). It really is pretty simple. You may have best luck and hour or so after dark.
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Joey Kennedy
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Location: North Carolina

Re: Dumb post, but it is finally spring for this northerner.

Post by Joey Kennedy »

Thank you, I'm going tonight then xD
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Nir
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Location: Gatineau, QC, Canada

Re: Dumb post, but it is finally spring for this northerner.

Post by Nir »

Sorry about the king!! He had a good life i'm sure!!

Sooooo... if things are moving your way, it means I only have another 3 weeks to go...



DAMMIT!!!
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