Jim,
Yes. And that's an interesting scene you describe. Some folks have suggested that the behavior is because when they're migrating they're trying to find the gap in the canopy where the pond is, and thus cuing in on light above them. This has been incorporated into road-tunnel designs: open tops, lighted ceilings. If you stand along a drift fence for a while with a flashlight, the salamanders will congregate near you. There's an outside light on a horse barn nearby where the Jefferson salamanders sit and gaze up just as you describe.
-noah
________________________________
From: vernalpool@yahoogroups.com on behalf of Jim
Sent: Tue 4/5/2011 4:48 PM
To: vernalpool@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [vernalpool] Salamanders and Lights
Hi,
Last night at 10:30 PM when arriving home from a meeting, I approached
my back stairs, where my thoughtful wife had left the light on so I
would not fall on my face, and there were 3 male spotted salamanders
hanging out and looking up at the light.
I have never seen this before and actually when I shine a light into a
vernal pool with congressing salamanders, they all take off and seek
refuge under the leaves.
This light is fluorescent.
Are salamanders attracted to lights?
Jim
PS, there were a lot of herps in the road on the drive back home at
10:30 PM in Ipswich and Topsfield.
--
Jim MacDougall
29 Campmeeting Road
Topsfield, MA 01983
978-857-6826
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