Nimhue's Root Connection
a blog about all things good and green, living with the land, & loving with the whole heart
Helping our Amphibian Friends
Did you know that amphibians are among the world's most endangered animals?
While the amphibians of the ancient carboniferous period were massive ruling giants, today's amphibians are
rather small and helpless! In a natural setting, amphibians have only the perils of nature to contend with. But
human expansion has created a myriad of additional hazards, and the result has been major population declines and the threat of extinction for the rarest of species. Amphibians have the hurdles stacked against them: Traffic strikes from crossing roadways (which are estimated to kill millions of migrating amphibians annually worldwide during critical breeding times), habitat decline due to human "development", habitat fragmentation, toxins such as road salts which permeate their thin membrane, climate change, and taboo all threaten our amphibious kin.
As relatives of these incredible beings, it is our responsibility to walk upon the Earth in a way that does not content with the livelihoods of other species. Our choices determine the fate of other creatures, and as such we can make the choice to reverse the damage we've already caused. This page has essential information and resources on hows to accomplish this, such as links to conservation initiatives, tools to help identify and learn about amphibians, and suggestions on how you can make a direct and local impact.
Big Night 2026 is Coming Up!
Every year in early Spring...
When tempatures begin to reach 40 degrees farenheit, on rainy nights when conditions are just right, Maine's amphibians make a perilous migration back to their breeding grounds- vernal pools which lay in woodlands oftentimes many miles from the amphibians' territory. Many species instinctively return to the same breeding sites year after year. As such, this time of year is critical for amphibian populations, which are already under decline due to habitat loss and fragmentation from human "development." Unfortunately, another major obstacle stands in their way, one that did not always exist: roads. Tiny frogs, toads, and salamanders don't stand a chance crossing roadways, where drivers plow them over, completely unaware. The survival rate for a frog struck by a car is 0%- and amphibians at their top speeds still can't evade tires. When huge migrations take place, thousands of lives can be lost in this way.
Organizations such as Maine Big Night work to reduce collisions with amphibians. Volunteers head out in the night to key sites and help the amphibians cross the road, counting and tallying as they go for research purposes. Even dead ones are counted- all data helps us understand which sites have heavier migrations and therefore need more volunteer time and monitoring. Participating in Big Night can be a fun, rewarding experience for adults and children alike, and connects us to seasonal cycles and rhythms. Going out during the amphibian migration season can become an important tradition. The more people that get involved, the more lives are saved and the more attention the subject gets. With enough attention, communities can potentially convince their cities to install signage, wildlife tunnels, reduce speed limits in high strike zones, and install kerb stones.
Rebuild & Protect Habitats for Amphibians
Home is where the hop is...
Amphibian comes from the Greek word "Amphibia," meaning "two lives." Amphibians spend half of their life terrestrially, the other half in water. Unpolluted, accessable waterbodies are critical habitat.
- TO BE CONTINUED
More Resources and Information
The Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife website has an extensive list of every species of amphibian
and reptile in the state of Maine, with links and information about each. Identification, distribution, habitat, diet,
and other notes are all listed beneath each species.
Check out this article from the Spruce on making a "Toad Abode!" A toad abode is a fun activity for all ages that is both
beneficial to toads as well as to humans! Toads can eat thousands of insects in a season, particularly grubs, beetles, slugs,
and other insects that invade gardens. In return, setting up a nice cool, shaded, moist spot helps toads find places to rest
during the hot Summer months and to keep safe. Toads can live a long time, and may even return year after year!
The National Wildlife Federation's website has a page about attracting amphibians to your backyard habitat, with
information on how to create a clean, safe space for amphibians to thrive and info on what you can do to help
protect them.
froglife.org is a UK based site dedicated to conserving amphibians and reptiles. Their website is a treasure trove of
resources and information for all ages. Froglife hosts events, provides education, works to improve amphibian and
reptile habitat, is part of a growing number of ecological campaigns, and runs the "Toads on Roads" program (similar
to our Big Night.) among other things.