Auroraadvocate.com - Portage County has lots of salamanders

The spotted salamander may not be a commonly seen creature, but it is about to become the state amphibian of Ohio.

Only 14 states have designated a state amphibian. Ohio is the 15th now that Senate Bill 240 passed recently in Columbus.

"Spotted salamanders are found in many places around Portage County," said Portage Park District program director Dawn Alber. "We've done several informational programs about vernal pools in our parks."

Vernal pools are the seasonal pools of water used for breeding by salamanders, frogs and other amphibians.

Designation of a state amphibian is important since little is known about these nocturnal creatures by the general public.

Traditionally, the most popular time of year for salamander watching is the spring mating season, when the salamanders return to vernal pools to mate and lay their eggs.

Masses of salamanders can be found moving over land toward the vernal pools, if just the right conditions exist. The weather must be rainy and warm, and the movement is always at night.

The Portage Park District owns several promising areas for salamander and amphibian research, including the Chagrin Headwater Preserve and the Streetsboro Preserve.

THE DISTRICT has not yet reached the capacity to open these preserves to the public.

"Salamanders serve as the 'canaries' of our environment, "Alber explained. "If the amphibian population is healthy, it is a good sign that the environment is healthy."

Threats to the spotted salamander include wetland filling and draining for development, introduction of fish to breeding ponds, pollutants such as insecticides and herbicides, and loss of deciduous forest, the adult habitat.

Wetlands and forest habitat preservation is an important element of the Portage Park District's park, trails and greenways project.

"We're excited to begin this project that will engage the community to identify needs and opportunities for conservation and recreation," said district director Christine Craycroft.

"We hope to get a lot of participation in creating a vision for the future of Portage County that will yield many environmental, health and social benefits such as wildlife habitat, healthy recreation, flood control and drinking water protection that's in everyone's interest."

For more information on amphibian educational programs, the Portage Park District or the park, trails and greenways plan check the district's Web site at www.portageparkdistrict.org or call the district at 330-297-7728.