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<u>TELEGRAPH FORUM </u>(Bucyrus, Ohio) 10 April 07 Salamanders offered a home (Mary Lee Minor)
Forgive my fascination with phenomenon that lie beyond my comprehension. There is this approach for me, at least, that suggests that there is always another route to any solution.
By attending the Wildlife Diversity Conference, I can pick up on the energy, humor and insights of those men and women who take on the mysteries of the natural world and love every minute. We used to call such a gathering a "kindred spirit" event. With more than 900 people in attendance, you just have to believe we will get to the same page.
There is a desire in me to bring salamanders to the Royal Woods. Over several years, the students, staff and myself have deposited over two dozen mixed varieties. Though I do admit that this is the slow route, there was hope.
We have the vernal pools. Each March, these salamanders should be flocking (hardly) to these wet areas to mate. Well, loosely stated, they should return to engage in mating activities. Males would be depositing spermataphores, which the females pick up and use upon the egg masses.
While this may not sound too exciting, masses of salamanders come together in the vernal pools to reproduce. The rains and warmth bring on the behavior. Remember, these creatures are "wild at night," so you must catch them with a flashlight, in night's darkness, in pool areas. It has been quiet at the Royal Woods.
At this year's conference I heard for the first time that spotted salamanders mate every other year. This was probably conveyed to me, yet I heard it as if for the first time. Shazam!
Where blue-spotted salamanders exist in Ohio's oak openings, there has been a 98 percent reduction in the mosquito population. Hence, there is some importance in their lives.
At this time I will confess to you that my efforts to bring salamanders to the woods beside the school have been unsuccessful. Those we have set in place have probably sought a return to the ponds where they were conceived and hatched. They do not make it back, usually, but they do try to navigate.
Despite the fact that I do know this, last weekend I willfully sought out and brought to our vernal pools masses of salamander eggs. One bucket was deposited in each pool. There may be no success.
First, if the make-up of our pools is greatly different, food and nutrition is an issue. Since we could see embryos, the hatching point is close at hand. If they were to hatch, they might die for lack of food. They may perish seeking "home." Some authorities have suggested that a small percentage might survive.
Ah, but there is that issue of mating every other year.
Now you know that I have been up to no good. My defense is that builders and developers clean-up nature upsetting the balance of life. Many establish "ponds" that do not invite wildlife at all, but look pretty. When we find a salamander in the window well, we should realize that the poor thing is trying to return "home."
"Home, Sweet Home for Salamanders" is in my head; I await the reality.
http://www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070410/LIFESTYLE/704100318/1024
<font color="ff6000">Hey ... I just noticed that I've 'graduated' from being a 'Junior Member' to the exalted heights of 'Active Member'! When will this crazy roller-coaster of excitement stop!? </font>
Forgive my fascination with phenomenon that lie beyond my comprehension. There is this approach for me, at least, that suggests that there is always another route to any solution.
By attending the Wildlife Diversity Conference, I can pick up on the energy, humor and insights of those men and women who take on the mysteries of the natural world and love every minute. We used to call such a gathering a "kindred spirit" event. With more than 900 people in attendance, you just have to believe we will get to the same page.
There is a desire in me to bring salamanders to the Royal Woods. Over several years, the students, staff and myself have deposited over two dozen mixed varieties. Though I do admit that this is the slow route, there was hope.
We have the vernal pools. Each March, these salamanders should be flocking (hardly) to these wet areas to mate. Well, loosely stated, they should return to engage in mating activities. Males would be depositing spermataphores, which the females pick up and use upon the egg masses.
While this may not sound too exciting, masses of salamanders come together in the vernal pools to reproduce. The rains and warmth bring on the behavior. Remember, these creatures are "wild at night," so you must catch them with a flashlight, in night's darkness, in pool areas. It has been quiet at the Royal Woods.
At this year's conference I heard for the first time that spotted salamanders mate every other year. This was probably conveyed to me, yet I heard it as if for the first time. Shazam!
Where blue-spotted salamanders exist in Ohio's oak openings, there has been a 98 percent reduction in the mosquito population. Hence, there is some importance in their lives.
At this time I will confess to you that my efforts to bring salamanders to the woods beside the school have been unsuccessful. Those we have set in place have probably sought a return to the ponds where they were conceived and hatched. They do not make it back, usually, but they do try to navigate.
Despite the fact that I do know this, last weekend I willfully sought out and brought to our vernal pools masses of salamander eggs. One bucket was deposited in each pool. There may be no success.
First, if the make-up of our pools is greatly different, food and nutrition is an issue. Since we could see embryos, the hatching point is close at hand. If they were to hatch, they might die for lack of food. They may perish seeking "home." Some authorities have suggested that a small percentage might survive.
Ah, but there is that issue of mating every other year.
Now you know that I have been up to no good. My defense is that builders and developers clean-up nature upsetting the balance of life. Many establish "ponds" that do not invite wildlife at all, but look pretty. When we find a salamander in the window well, we should realize that the poor thing is trying to return "home."
"Home, Sweet Home for Salamanders" is in my head; I await the reality.
http://www.bucyrustelegraphforum.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070410/LIFESTYLE/704100318/1024
<font color="ff6000">Hey ... I just noticed that I've 'graduated' from being a 'Junior Member' to the exalted heights of 'Active Member'! When will this crazy roller-coaster of excitement stop!? </font>