SOME LIKE IT MESSY

In May I got to attend a reptile and amphibian workshop.  I’m neither a reptile nor an amphibian so I was excited that they let me in (bad joke).  If you are interested in establishing habitat for amphibians then this is your blog.  Most frogs and salamanders go to water to lay their eggs which they stick to submerged plants and such.  Once the eggs (gelatinous balls of wonder goo) hatch, the young larvae swim around feeding until they get large enough to exchange their gills for lungs and move to land.  Amphibian eggs and larvae are tasty little crumpets and get gobbled up by fish.  Therefore, the best amphibian areas have ponds to shallow for fish to exist!  A nice gentle slope (no swimming pool designs here!) allows easy movement in and out of your pond.  The best areas also have submerged plants, twigs or other structures to secure the eggs to.  Once the eggs hatch, this vegetation also provides refuge to the larvae.  Mowing your pond edges so they are neat and tidy for you, does nothing for your amphibians.  They like it fish free and a bit messy.