Tigers in the Pond

Our pond never ceases to surprise us.  It dried up this summer and much of the pond floor was covered with Spanish Needles. We removed some of the Spanish Needles but left the majority of them.  Then, in October, after a few rains, about one inch of water covered the loblollied pond bottom.  After hearing a strong Southern Leopard Frog chorus one night, we found Southern Leopard Frog egg masses in the shallow water, attached to the stalks of the dead Spanish Needles.  (See 10/29/01 Nature Notes).    

Afterwards, we received just enough rain to keep most of the egg masses in water until the tadpoles hatched.  Then, on January 15th, we found Tiger Salamander egg masses in the pond, also attached to the stalks of the dead Spanish Needles.  The week of January 21st, after all of the heavy rain, the pond completely filled.  Hoping to see the adult Tiger Salamanders, we stood beside the pond in light rain at night, sweeping a flashlight across the bottom near the salamander egg masses. 

Andrea saw the first one. An enormous Tiger Salamander, about 9 inches long was moving slowly through the water just a couple of feet from where we were standing.  We were amazed at how large they were.  Tiger Salamanders are among the largest terrestrial salamanders in the United States, rivaled only by the Pacific Giant Salamanders. We were struck by how different the Tiger Salamander looked in the water than on land, its keeled tail moving sinuously from side to side.  It really looked like a serious predator making its way across the pond bottom.  This adult, unlike the Tiger Salamander shown, was almost black, with bright yellow spots, a striking combination. 

 All photographs © 1999 LEAPS