Amphibians on roads this spring, MassWildlife reports

MassWildlife says amphibians begin emerging in late February in southeastern Massachusetts and later in northern areas, with species such as spotted salamander, wood frog and spring peeper commonly crossing roads during early spring migrations.

Amphibians are emerging from winter shelters and moving toward streets, bike paths and trails as temperatures rise. Jake Kubel, a conservation scientist at the state Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife), said amphibians typically begin to appear in late February in southeastern Massachusetts, with later timing in more northern areas. Kubel noted that timing varies by locality; southeastern Mass. usually starts in late February and early March, while northern Worcester County typically sees migrations from late March through mid-April. The article cites a past example in 2015 when the first large migration was delayed to April 3 after winter weather and delayed thawing. Key details: - Common early spring species crossing roads include the spotted salamander, wood frog and spring peeper. - Other species observed on roads in some localities include blue‑spotted salamander, Jefferson salamander, four‑toed salamander and red‑backed salamander. - MassWildlife identifies risks such as predation by animals, vehicle strikes and human encounters during migrations. - Sudden drops in temperature or humidity can cause exposure-related deaths for migrating amphibians if they cannot reach cover. - Physical obstacles like fences, curbing, catch basins and retaining walls can impede migrations; swimming pools are noted as hazards later in the season for some species. - Activity patterns vary: some salamanders are surface-active mainly at night, while many frogs and toads are active day and night; stream and woodland salamanders may be active beneath cover and generally leave cover at night. Summary: MassWildlife reports that spring movements of amphibians occur across the state with timing that varies by region, and those movements are associated with risks such as predation and exposure. Undetermined at this time.