Have you meandered through a forest, hoping to take a gander at a salamander?
Salamanders might be hard to find, but they're well worth the effort. Salamander expert Christopher Smith (conservation committee chair for the Minnesota Herpetological Society and administrator for the Minnesota Amphibian and Reptile Survey) shares his insights into a few of Minnesota's cryptic but charismatic amphibians.
Christopher Smith also shares guidance on how to protect the salamanders as you go out looking for them.
The trick is to only roll over logs that will hold together, and to put them right back where you found them. Salamanders (and other critters that use their habitat) depend on the uniquely moist, stable conditions found in or under decaying wood. Moving the "roof" of their home (or accidentally shredding it) destroys their habitat and puts them at risk.
Search responsibly, but get out there and admire Minnesota's salamanders. Listen to the full conversation above.
KAXE's Tuesday Morning Show strives to take an in-depth look at some natural resource-based issues important to Northern Minnesota. Producer Mark Jacobs and hosts Heidi Holtan and John Latimer discuss the problems and highlight some creative solutions.
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