Searching For Salamanders Makes Winter Fun!

We are at that time of year when many of us join our animal counterparts in hibernation. Now that the holidays are over and the depths of winter have set in, it is too irresistible to not spend our free time snuggled up with a warm mug, blanket, and our favorite loungewear or fuzzy slippers. Even those of us who live and breathe the outdoors are having trouble finding a reason to face the cold and wander outside.

However, winter is the time when some animals are becoming more visibly active in Western Washington. In fact, mid-January is the start of the breeding season for amphibians such as frogs, toads, and salamanders. So, leave those fuzzy slippers by the door, put on a pair of mud boots or waders if you got ‘em, and let’s go ‘herping’. The word ‘herp’ comes from Herpetology, the study of amphibians (including frogs, toads, salamanders, newts) and reptiles (including snakes, lizards, turtles). Herpetology comes from the Greek word ‘herpien’, meaning to creep. So, ‘herping’ is a term we use to walk around with the intention of finding herptiles (amphibians or reptiles).

Snohomish County has 12 amphibian species you can look for (11 native and one non-native/invasive). Of the 12 amphibians that live here, there are:

• 5 frogs - Pacific tree frog, Northern red-legged frog, Cascade frog, tailed frog, and American bullfrog*
• 5 salamanders - Northwestern salamander, giant salamander, long-toed salamander, Western red-backed salamander, and Ensatina
• 1 newt - rough-skinned newt
• 1 toad - Western toad

(*Bullfrogs are not native to our region and are extensively eating many of our native amphibians).

“But, I don’t live near a wetland,” you say. Not a problem, you can still go herping. One of the biggest misconceptions about frogs and salamanders is that they live in wetlands all year long. In fact, almost all of our Western Washington amphibians spend only a few months each year in the water (wetland, pond, or stream) to lay their eggs. The rest of the year they spend on dry land (forest or meadow) to look for food. A few salamanders even live and lay their eggs completely on dry land, so it’s quite possible to find amphibians on or near your property if you don’t live near a wetland. Here are some tips on where and when to find frogs and salamanders – from eggs to adults.

Where to Find Amphibians

1. Look In and Around Ponds, Streams and Wetlands