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Residents await annual crossing of salamanders
http://homepage.mac.com/rwolfert/NatureWebsiteMC/index.html ^ | March 22, 2005

Posted on 03/23/2005 12:01:03 PM PST by Calpernia

EAST BRUNSWICK — Why did the salamander cross the road?

In the township’s case, it’s to get to the vernal pool on the other side and mate.

March is when the spotted salamanders that live in East Brunswick make their annual trek across Beekman Road for the purpose of procreating. And the town has taken notice — in fact, so has neighboring South Brunswick — by agreeing to shut down the road to make sure the small critters make it safely across.

David Moscowitz, of the East Brunswick Environmental Commission, said the town was able to get its neighbor to go along with the road closing this year. East Brunswick closed its section of Beekman Road last March to keep the salamanders from winding up as roadkill.

“We were very successful last year in closing the road and allowing a lot of salamanders to cross,” he said.

Before that, dozens at a time would be killed by passing traffic, he said. It is not easy to see the spotted creatures, as even adults are only about six inches in length.

They cross the road to get to the vernal pool in the woods, where they do their mating, Moscowitz said.

“They are black with yellow spots, so if you are in a car at night, you’re not going to see one,” Moscowitz said.

Beekman Road, which has only one residential house in the East Brunswick section, is generally used for cut-through purposes, he said. There are a number of homes on the South Brunswick side. Though it is a small road, it does see a good amount of vehicular traffic, putting the salamanders at risk.

It remains a question as to exactly when the road will be closed, Moscowitz said. It will depend on the weather, as the salamanders only look to mate when daytime temperatures are around 50 degrees, night temperatures around 40, with some rain. Moscowitz figures the next couple of weeks will bring those weather conditions. Last year’s crossing took place the first week of March.

The crossings are more frequent at night.

There is one seemingly rebellious salamander who, despite his kin not following, crossed the road already, Moscowitz said. Moscowitz found the salamander because he and others have been watching for the crossing. The rain came too late after the relatively high temperatures, though, and the other salamanders stayed put.

Mayor William Neary, who has helped facilitate the road closing, said he is working with South Brunswick and local police to protect the creatures. The township has also posted signs in the area to warn of the crossings.

Moscowitz said the area is likely the only place in the township where the spotted salamanders still exist. The salamanders have likely been in the area for hundreds of years, with some living for more than 30 years.

Though not endangered nationally, they are locally, which is why allowing them to safely traverse Beekman Road is so important, he said.

Each female has between 150 and 500 eggs. If she dies crossing the road, a significant number of births do not occur, he said. Males drop sperm that is picked up by females for fertilization.

The process, which occurs in vernal pools, represents the only time the creatures come out from underground, Moscowitz said.

Moscowitz invites residents to Beekman Road to watch the crossings. Other types of creatures such as frogs and snakes also cross, he said, noting that he has organized hikes to the vernal pools.

And in a few weeks, spring peepers, or tiny frogs, will be breeding in the pools. Those driving by with the windows open can hear the males doing their very loud mating call, Moscowitz noted.

Those wanting to know when the crossings occur or related information can check out the commission’s new Web site at www.njnaturenotes.com. The site was established by member Rich Wolfert.


TOPICS: Local News; Pets/Animals; Weird Stuff
KEYWORDS: animalrights; environment; environmentalists; newjersey; nj; salamanders; sierraclub; transportation; treehuggers
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Let's see....

Our state is heading for bankruptcy....

We are riddled with gangs and crime....

Our politicians are being investigated and jailed for corruption, so much so, I've not been able to keep my bump list up to date http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/1352722/posts New Jersey - Corruption and Scandal BUMP LIST

Yet, let it be known, the Salamandars will live.

1 posted on 03/23/2005 12:01:03 PM PST by Calpernia
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To: null and void

But, who cries for krill?


2 posted on 03/23/2005 12:02:27 PM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: farmfriend


3 posted on 03/23/2005 12:04:49 PM PST by Libertarianize the GOP (Make all taxes truly voluntary)
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To: Calpernia

*smooch*


4 posted on 03/23/2005 12:13:25 PM PST by null and void (Do your part to save Social Security. Die.)
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To: null and void

Smooching up will not get you front row seats to the Salamander crosssing :)


5 posted on 03/23/2005 12:18:18 PM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: Calpernia

It's a start...


6 posted on 03/23/2005 12:22:52 PM PST by null and void (Do your part to save Social Security. Die.)
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To: null and void
See what you can't have?


7 posted on 03/23/2005 12:24:51 PM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: Calpernia

and we have the highest rate of teenagers having abortions.

New Jersey, NJ, surpasses all states in teenage abortion rate

don't hunt the black bears and close the roads for the salamanders to cross,  and the children?  oh, we just let them die in abortion mills and offer them no inalienable or constitutional rights.


8 posted on 03/23/2005 12:24:59 PM PST by Coleus (Roe v. Wade and Endangered Species Act both passed in 1973, Murder Babies/save trees, birds, algae)
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To: Calpernia

Will the state assure a food supply and water for salamanders? Maybe humans can be next?


9 posted on 03/23/2005 12:25:17 PM PST by blackdog (Lord of Woop Woop)
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To: Calpernia


10 posted on 03/23/2005 12:26:16 PM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: blackdog

The humans will be deprived of food and water because it takes the natural resources away from the salamanders.

Matter of fact, I'm packing my things to go as I speak. I just found a salamander on my sidewalk and he has squatter rights to my home since he is a protected species.


11 posted on 03/23/2005 12:28:35 PM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: Calpernia

But if you've spotted a feeding tube on that salamander, you've got a full green light to squash her with extreme predjudice.


12 posted on 03/23/2005 12:39:46 PM PST by blackdog (Lord of Woop Woop)
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To: Calpernia

As kids, we enjoyed the salamander treks in suburban Philadelphia in Fairmount Park. We collected them and put them inside our Hotwheels race cars and held races. A few guys loaded them into their Estes Rockets and sent them up for a few G's above some solid rocket fuel. Survivors of the races and rocketships made it into our terrariums with some moss and rotted wood where we dreamed of dinosaurs on the roam while trying to fall off to sleep, which is not easy at age 10 with summer approaching.


13 posted on 03/23/2005 12:58:54 PM PST by blackdog (Lord of Woop Woop)
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To: blackdog
Oh, I love the nature collecting too.

I'm just not myself and feeling very facetious.

Especially after this thread http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1369033/posts
14 posted on 03/23/2005 1:10:22 PM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: Calpernia

I thought salamanders were a different color. Must be all of the pollution here.


15 posted on 03/24/2005 7:56:45 AM PST by RepubMommy
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To: RepubMommy

You should see the red ones. They are pretty.


16 posted on 03/24/2005 8:05:50 AM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: Salamander

Your nic made me have to ping you here.


17 posted on 03/24/2005 8:32:12 PM PST by Calpernia (Breederville.com)
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To: Calpernia

Squeeeeeeal!

They're so CUTE!!!!....:))


18 posted on 03/24/2005 10:02:46 PM PST by Salamander
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To: Calpernia
LOL!

It's worse than you know, Calpernia!

Ever since I can remember, I've gone to the top of the mountain which is our local Spotted Salamander crossing and rescued innumerable little critters before the cars got them.
They're easy to see on the road and it's not like they dart out in front of you or anything so I could never understand why people just wouldn't easily drive *around* them.
It's not a busy road and it's only for a week or two, tops.

I'd bring buckets full of salamanders, various species of frogs and toads and lots of turtles home every year.
We have 3 ponds right near my house and I just relocated them.
They adapted to their new territory quite well.
[in the spring, there's a veritable riot of frogs peeping, croaking, chirping and trilling their happy little hearts out]...:)
19 posted on 03/24/2005 10:10:00 PM PST by Salamander
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To: Calpernia

If it was an Eastern Spotted, you needn't worry.
They're "mole salamanders" and spend 90% of their lives underground eating worms....:)


20 posted on 03/24/2005 10:14:01 PM PST by Salamander
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