A. Maculatum - How can I help?

[DeCypher]

I used to find these little ones all the time under woodpiles and whatnot, about 5 years ago. Now I only find about 3-4 a year...their population is obviously decreasing in my area. How can I stop this, or help the population grow? Would it be possible to take in some eggs and raise them, then release them? Or help breed some wild adults? I hate the idea of catching wild specimens because of the stress placed on them, but I'll do what I have to do to help.
Pictures are one I found this morning, in an abandoned snake burrow.

 

[Otterwoman]

The best way to help them is by saving their habitat. Has their habitat shrunk where you used to find them?

 

[DeCypher]

Yes A very large pond complex in the woods has been drained for building of new homes. Only a couple smaller ponds remain.

 

[Kaysie]

Bingo.

When you take away breeding habitat, you remove all future generations.

 

[DeCypher]

Is there a way I can help them?

 

[Jennewt]

This species is difficult to breed in captivity, so don't even think about taking in adults to try to breed them. Given that you have captive amphibians, it also wouldn't be a good idea to raise eggs to release. You could inadvertently release non-native pathogens. And releasing more animals into a smaller habitat won't help.

The things you could do to help are relatively more difficult. Find out who owns the remaining habitat and try to protect it from development. Build a garden pond (if your own yard is near the habitat).

 

[Raiden]

Yes A very large pond complex in the woods has been drained for building of new homes. Only a couple smaller ponds remain.

Selfish pigs. And people wonder what drives some to "eco-terrorism"....

If you have a backyard or other space to use, build a pond for them.

It would be a long process, and you obviously would need the property to do it on, but it would probably help a great deal.

 

[Tengu]

The draining of a vernal pool was allowed under your state regs?

 

[Kaysie]

Ponds under 5 acres in size on private property aren't generally regulated by the state.