Emerging Late Winter Animals Shed light on Local Conservation Issue

We find ourselves here upon the threshold of spring, and those
things that have remained hidden and quiet for months are emerging – much to
the Naturalist’s delight. Among these first resilient life forms are wonders
that press the imagination to new places. The mourning cloak butterfly spreads
its wings after resting in a state of diapause. The sorbitol in its exoskeleton
makes it capable of withstanding temperatures as low as 200 degrees below zero. 

From the wetlands the wood frog sings to us the first amphibious song of the
year. It has the ability to freeze nearly solid, halting its heart and brain
activity, as a means of surviving the coldest winter months. Glucose production allows it to freeze without suffering cell damage. Despite the deep freeze, it is able to thaw and get on with life
as if it had never happened!

Among these and other harbingers of spring, there is an event
that presents us with one of the most amazing natural phenomenon anywhere. It
rises to the top for its beauty, its improbability, and its drive to overcome
nearly every challenge thrown in its path.

Only once a year, on a couple of
special nights, the Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) leaves its forested home and migrates to
its breeding grounds. The warm air and heavy rain in late winter coax these
animals from the ground. Under the cloak of night, fog and rain, they travel as
far as 400 feet to vernal pools on nearby floodplains. They cross snow and ice
if necessary, and in the case of one very large local population, they cross
Polo Grounds and Rio Mills Road.
They dodge cars in their race to perpetuate their species. About 50% of them
are hit by cars with each migration. 

Super Power Adaptations These salamanders, in the Mole
Salamander family, have wonderful adaptations for dealing with predators. These
adaptations are super powers by any standards. The spotted salamander can
regenerate its tail, limbs and even parts of its head and organs –  if they manage to escape their predators, or
the tire of a moving car. To further dissuade their predators they emit a bad tasting
sticky toxin if disturbed or attacked. Their bright spots are a warning
sign to other animals that they taste bad and, to many animals, are toxic to
eat. 

It is my dream to see the site conserved and converted into a park where people of all ages may visit and learn about the natural wonders there-in. 

Charlottesville’s Biggest Population is at Risk  While this species is not endangered,
it is rarely observed in such great numbers as seen crossing Polo Grounds Road
and Rio Mills Road.
In fact one could have observed several thousand on a single night prior to the
roads being built in this area. Populations have declined since that time, and
they now face additional challenges. The entire population is at risk of being
wiped out by residential and retail development, road traffic, and new bridge
construction. The health of this population, like many other animals, is a
strong barometer for the health of the human ecosystem. If the animals and
plants that we share this world with are healthy, thus are we. It is also
animals like these, cute yet powerful, uncommonly seen yet strikingly
beautiful, that inspire humans to learn more about their world.

Conserving a Community Tradition It is my hope that, with the
development that seems inevitable at this location, it will come with a strong
plan to conserve the unique ecosystems that provide a home for this ancient
amphibian population. It has become a community tradition to venture out on a
cool rainy night in late winter to observe the spotted salamanders of Polo
Grounds Road. I have had conversations with many members of the community, and
it has become apparent that people have been taking their kids to see this
phenomenon for at least 30 years! With a little creativity and informed
planning, the communities residing in this region of Virginia may enjoy this ecosystem and the
wildlife it supports, for generations to come. It is my dream to see the site
conserved and converted into a park where people of all ages may visit and
learn about the natural wonders there-in. It will require cooperation and good
planning, but I can easily imagine a realistic solution that benefits all
parties involved, including landowners, developers, nature enthusiasts, school
groups, educators, and conservation groups.

If you drive down Polo Grounds Road
and Rio Mills Road
at night in late February to mid-March, slow down and dodge the salamanders as
they migrate from the forest to the floodplain, and back again, particularly in the next week!

Happy End of Winter – Devin