Male Competition
The Wood Frog (Rana sylvatica) is another early spring breeding amphibian common to our region. These explosive breeders utilize vernal pools, just like spotted salamanders, and their breeding activities are squeezed into just a few days. As the frogs enter the pools, males will take up their positions floating at the surface of the pool croaking their characteristic call. While they are calling, they will often joust with one another, especially if a female is nearby. These two males had a bit of a tousle, but both went on to call in another spot ready for females to come their way. Elyse...
Read MoreUnderwater World
While these little white puffs may look like little air pockets escaping from underwater volcanoes they are actually little spermatophores, or sperm packets produced by male spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum), scattered across a vernal pool floor. As females arrive and enter ephemeral pools (sometimes up to a week after the males), males go into a frenzy. Typically the ratio of males to females in the pools is very skewed, with many males to every one female. This fuels some pretty intense male to male competition and very interesting sexual selection. Males surround females and nudge...
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