Amphibians

How does one assign a particular species to be focal species for the town of Williston? Often animals are selected that represent charismatic megafauna – large, typically furry mammals that inspire admiration (i.e. panda bears & mountain lions). There have already been several town-level efforts to understand the more traditional focal species of Williston such as bear and bobcats. However, there has not been significant focus on the amphibians of Williston.

Amphibians (frogs and salamanders) and reptiles (turtles, lizards, and snakes) are often collectively grouped together because they superficially appear similar. Some key differences are that all amphibians are moist to the touch and most require a wet environment for some stage of their development. Contrastingly, reptiles have scaly skins and not all live in bodies of water.

Amphibians may seem small and stationary compared to larger birds or mammals, yet they do move surprisingly far to find breeding grounds.

For example, during the spring, amphibians which were inactive during the winter migrate to their breeding grounds, which can be up to a mile away. Another common misconception is that amphibians only need wetlands. In fact, most spend the majority of their lives in the adjacent upland woodlands. Just as large scale fragmentation of the Williston landscape threatens the bobcat, small scale fragmentation of wetland-upland woodland areas also poses threats to these small creatures. Of particular concern are road crossing mortalities during the large, often simultaneous spring migrations from wintering uplands to breeding wetland. Amphibians are also useful in gauging water quality for other types of animals.

Relatively little work has been conducted in the town regarding amphibians populations. 16 species of amphibians and reptiles have been documented, from the very common Wood frog (Rana sylvatica) (Listen to Wood Frog Call) to the less common Jefferson Salamander (Ambystoma jeffersonianum). In addition, another 16 species potentially exist in Williston based on neighboring town data, but have not been reported. This presents a great opportunity to engage local residents in the process of citizen science. Unlike birds and mammals, they are usually easy to find and hold and are quite exotic in appearance. Amphibians (and reptiles) are particularly useful in instructing school-age students because their migrations time with classes. The Vermont Reptile and Amphibian Atlas is an excellent resource and opportunity to contribute to the ongoing inventorying of Williston’s reptile and amphibian species. Perhaps the easiest way to see a large number of these species is to walk a slow road that bisects wintering uplands and breeding wetlands during the first rainy, above freezing nights of spring. A few known and potential road crossing areas are presented in the Williston amphibian map below. In general, the southern half of Williston offers the best chance of seeing or hearing these creatures.