Seven-hundred unique species; ranging in size from 1 inch to 6 feet long; residing on 5 out of the world’s 7 continents; filling important niches while rarely being seen… These are salamanders!
Northern Two-lined Salamander (Eurycea bislineata)
RTPI will host a special “Salamander Saturday” event on May 5th from 10am-2pm. This celebration of all things slimy, inspired by the annual international Salamander Saturday event initiated by the Foundation for the Conservation of Salamanders, is aimed at raising awareness of our local and regional salamanders, their habitats, and their importance to the ecosystems in which they reside. Visitors of all ages will enjoy a variety of salamander-themed activities including:
• Vernal Pool Walks-learn more about our local salamander species, where they live and breed.
• Meet species of salamanders found in our backyards and from other parts of the world.
• Create salamanders of your own at our hands-on craft station.
• Have a salamander painted on your face.
• Meet and greet Oneka and Tweeg, RTPI’s resident hellbender salamanders.
Tweeg, one of RTPI’s resident hellbenders.
This event will be free to children ages 12 and under; adult admission to the program (which includes admission to the new Peterson exhibit) will be $12. Salamander-shaped cookies (created by Ecklof Bakery) and stickers depicting our resident hellbenders (created by 360 Graphics) will be available for purchase for $2 each, and the proceeds from the sale of these items will benefit our hellbenders.
In addition to all of these wonderful activities, visitors can explore the salamander-themed book titles in our Nature Store, see where our new in-house hellbender habitat will soon be located, and take in our new exhibit, “Roger Tory Peterson: The Life, the Work, the Legacy,”!
Northern Slimy Salamander (Plethodon glutinosus)
