Town of Boone issued the following announcement on March 7.
Spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) are a native species of salamanders that can be found all around Boone and the surrounding area.
These salamanders are commonly seen around lowland forests and wetlands once the weather warms up. Spotted salamanders eat all types of bugs, including sometimes being observed eating mosquito eggs that were laid in the same vernal pools.
Their egg masses can be found in vernal pools and wetlands attached to vegetation.
These masses sometimes contain algae that can be eaten by the young salamanders after they are born.
These masses should be left alone or admired from afar. Once the season warms up please watch for our little amphibian friends as they cross the greenway and roads
If you are lucky enough to see an adult spotted salamander please leave them be. Like all wild animals the stress of being touched or played with by humans can be detrimental.
These salamanders like to adventure around dusk, so make sure to take note of this because of the time change!
Original source can be found here.
