Searched for larvae in vernal pools today, struck out. Is it too late in Massachusetts?

[ramiro]

I checked some spots which have yielded spotted salamanders and others before to other field herpers but this was my first excursion. I did see some shallow pools but after staring into them for a few minutes I saw no movement. The pools did seem like they had a thick layer of leaf litter on the bottom, do larvae typically hide in the leaf litter? I figured that was the case but still expected to see some larvae out and about. How long before the vernal pools are devoid of salamander larvae? Are the breeding adults likely to be around? Perhaps under logs or leaves?

 

[Linus]

It's July and I'm still wondering this, and they do usually hide in the leaf-litter at the bottom of the pools.. so it's worth bringing a net and making a few scoops! Where in MA are you located? I'm in the Attleboro area

 

[Kaysie]

Larvae will readily hide in the leaf litter. Take a net, and dump your contents into a tupperware, and slowly pick out the leaves, and voila! Larvae!

Or you can do like Otterwoman did one time when we were herping and snatch a larva right out of the leaves bare handed.

 

[Linus]

HAHAHA that takes some keen reflexes, go otterwoman! Must have native american in her blood ;]

Kaysie do you think there would be any sals left in vernal pools at this time of year on the east coast?

 

[Kaysie]

It's a possibility, unless the ponds have dried up and then refilled.

If the ponds have remained intact and fairly deep all summer, animals usually start morphing around August.

 

[Otterwoman]

It was pure dumb luck!

see the 7th picture down
http://www.caudata.org/forum/blogs/otterwoman/231-people-you-cant-take-anywhere.html

 

[Kaysie]

It was pure dumb luck!

She's secretly a Ninja.

 

[Molch]

dang, I wanna go herping with you folks. You look like a fun bunch.

 

[ed_moyer]

You go Dawn, Show them us old hippies/natives still got it!!!! HaHaHaHa