Yellow Spotted Black Salamanders - Drowning!

[vaaccess]

I have never seen a salamander, but apparently they hatched in my pond and I have had over a dozen so far! Crazy.

I really don't know what I should/shouldn't do. The water level in my pond is low enough that I don't think they can get out, and have found some bigger ones that looked like they drowned. So, I started to fish them out and drop them about 15 feet away from the pond. Of course, they could go back in if they wanted to.

Anyway, I have some questions, but if I'm not asking the right questions please correct me!

1) Do I want to encourage them to stay?
2) Should I keep pulling them out of the pond? Will they just keep going back into the pond?
3) If they keep coming back into the pond, and assuming they are in fact drowning, and assuming I want to keep them for bug control or whatever, what should I do?
4) I think I read that they can release a toxic substance on their skin. Should I be worried about touching them, or my cats or dogs touching them...will they harm the fish I have in the pond?

I guess that's it for now...Again, I think they are adorable, but just don't know enough about them and want to make sure I handle this well!

 

[addy1]

per the net

Spotted Salamanders have yellow spots which warn predators that they are poisonous. While not lethally toxic, their poison makes them taste very bitter to an animal that would like to eat them

Spotted salamanders are very personable and make great pets. Make sure you wash your hands before and after you handle them, and they will live for a couple decades. They're easy to care for and inexpensive to maintain.

Salamanders lay eggs in water and juveniles metamorphose


Maybe make a ramp so they can climb out, I have done that with my ponds so turtles don't drown.

 

[addy1]

No matter the species, all salamanders need to keep their skin moist and need to have offspring in water, so a nearby water source is critical. Most species live in humid forests, though there are some exceptions

 

[vaaccess]

per the net

Spotted Salamanders have yellow spots which warn predators that they are poisonous. While not lethally toxic, their poison makes them taste very bitter to an animal that would like to eat them

Spotted salamanders are very personable and make great pets. Make sure you wash your hands before and after you handle them, and they will live for a couple decades. They're easy to care for and inexpensive to maintain.

Salamanders lay eggs in water and juveniles metamorphose


Maybe make a ramp so they can climb out, I have done that with my ponds so turtles don't drown.

Any advice for a ramp design or material?

 

[GBBUDD]

anything they can climb i know a log is a prime choice the more rotted the better as thats where you will find them under rotted logs

 

[bagsmom]

These look like the kind I used to find in my yard, but the spots were metallic gold. Extremely cool!

 

[zeuspaul]

To help stop lizards from drowning in my preform ponds with slick steep sides I use Rainbird swing pipe available from Home Depot. I form a hoop that fits just inside the outer edge of the pond. I make the hoop using the Rainbird swing pipe couple. Two hoops can be used, one slightly smaller than the other. I have no experience with salamanders but I have had no lizard drownings since I started using the hoops. I dip the pipe in hot water to facilitate making the connection to the couple. I like the swing pipe because it has a some texture for a good foot hold.

 

[Stephen Noble]

These escape ramps work great in swimming pools and probably would work for your situation. I have personally used the "Critter Pool Escape Net" and it works beautifully for all sorts of critters. The one below should work too.

Amazon.com : Critter Pool Escape Net-Animal Escape Ramp for Pools- Save Critters in Swimming Pool Device-Frog Pool Escape-Mice Rats Squirrels Possums Turtle Frogs Saver-Easy Setup Low Priced Animal Escape Device : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com : Critter Pool Escape Net-Animal Escape Ramp for Pools- Save Critters in Swimming Pool Device-Frog Pool Escape-Mice Rats Squirrels Possums Turtle Frogs Saver-Easy Setup Low Priced Animal Escape Device : Patio, Lawn & Garden

www.amazon.com

 

[JBtheExplorer]

You could always try to find a log that ramps into the pond. Spotted Salamanders breed in water but live on land, so they will die if they can't escape.

 

[vaaccess]

I used some rocks and a stick that I think will do it.

 

[Stephen Noble]

If that doesn't do it, take a razor blade or box knife and make some light slices to give the little critters more traction. Even rough sandpaper like 60 grit rubbed at different angles will help.

 

[addy1]

Maybe add a few more rocks, make a rock pile, so they can climb out of the water until they figure out how to get out.

 

[vaaccess]

Maybe add a few more rocks, make a rock pile, so they can climb out of the water until they figure out how to get out.

hmmm...the pond is deeper than it looks, I’d have to put a ton of rocks in there to make it a land bridge!

I should know more tomorrow if I see some still struggling to get out.

 

[GBBUDD]

They don't seem to be the brightest but i think they will find your stick i like how one looks to be floating and the other comes down to it that should work