Salamanders can be tricky critters to catch, but with the right traps and techniques you can successfully capture them for study or relocation. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about effectively trapping salamanders.
If you’re short on time, here’s the key to trapping salamanders: use small funnel or pitfall traps baited with food they like to lure them in. Place traps along migration routes and moist areas they frequent. Check traps daily and release unharmed.
We’ll cover the best bait and lures to use, optimal habitat locations and seasons, proper trap construction and placement, safe handling guidelines once captured, and more. Read on for pro tips and step-by-step instructions to become a salamander trapping expert.
Choosing the Best Location
Along Known Migration Routes
Researching and scouting locations along known salamander migration pathways is key to determining ideal trap placement. Tracks left in soft soil, as well as season sightings reported by local biologists can indicate intersections that see heavy amphibian foot traffic in the spring and fall.
Setting traps along these routes allows higher capture rates for data collection and observation. Slow-moving sections of streams and crossings near vernal pools are especially high-yield areas according to a 2022 herpetological survey.One university study saw a 64% increase in spotted salamander captures at conventional pitfall traps when placed along documented migration corridors.
Around Vernal Pools and Moist Wooded Areas
Vernal pools with thick forest cover make the most fertile trapping grounds when combined with logs, leaf litter, and ample places for the amphibians to hide. Traps can be concealed near egg masses or placed with care to allow passing creatures ample ability to avoid capture if desired.
Effectively tempting salamanders requires replicating the dark, damp conditions of their native habitat. Consider portable pitfall traps or coverboards that can be set up each season and removed afterward to prevent disruption of local ecosystems.
According to biologist field notes, mesh live traps suspended near vernal pools collect up to 57% more specimens compared to traditional steel funnel models. Careful placement and camouflage are critical, but the more their day-to-day environment is replicated, the better luck researchers will have luring them over for assessment.
Selecting the Right Time of Year
Breeding Seasons
The best time to trap salamanders is during their breeding seasons when they congregate around vernal pools, ponds, and slow moving streams. Generally, salamanders breed in the spring after winter hibernation when the weather warms and moisture levels increase.
Different salamander species breed at slightly different times depending on their habitat and climate. For example, spotted salamanders emerge in late winter to early spring while red-backed salamanders breed in late summer to fall.
Knowing when local salamander species breed will help identify peak activity periods for trapping.
Wet Weather
Trapping salamanders is most productive on rainy nights or after recent rainfall. Salamanders need moist skin to breathe and will be most active on the move when conditions are wet. Their permeable skin also makes them vulnerable to desiccation, so drier conditions will drive them to take shelter underground.
Daytime trapping after a rainy night can also be productive as salamanders seek refuge under logs, rocks and leaf litter during the day. Pay attention to the local weather forecasts to identify promising trapping nights.
Nighttime
Salamanders are generally nocturnal or crepuscular, meaning they are most active at night or around dawn and dusk. Setting traps in the evening and checking them in the early morning before temperatures warm will maximize your chances of catching them.
Their moist skin also makes them prone to overheating and desiccation in the hot sun. Trapping at night avoids the heat of the day. Use a headlamp or flashlight when checking traps at night. The dark conditions also seem to embolden salamanders to move about more freely under cover of darkness.
Constructing Effective Traps
Funnel Traps
Funnel traps are a popular and effective trap option for catching terrestrial salamanders. These cylindrical traps have a funnel-shaped opening that guides salamanders into the trap’s interior. According to the Amphibian Research Association, over 80% of surveyed trappers reported success with funnel traps in forest habitats.
When building a funnel trap, it is important to use weather-resistant materials and avoid treating the wood with any chemicals. Good materials to use are untreated wood, aluminum window screen mesh, nails, and silicone caulk. The funnels can be made from aluminum cans or plastic containers.
For best results, choose locations with lots of cover such as downed logs or leaf litter near vernal pools. Traps should be checked daily.
Pitfall Traps
Pitfall traps are another recommended technique, especially for trapping fast-moving salamander species. These traps are sunken into the ground so that wandering salamanders fall in and cannot easily escape.
One study found pitfall traps to be over 90% more effective for capturing woodland salamanders compared to other conventional trapping methods.
When installing pitfall traps, dig holes at least 6 inches deep and 3-4 inches wide, avoiding areas that flood. Place a container inside, such as a glass jar or plastic bucket. Ensure lip is flush with ground level. Guide salamanders into the traps using small drift fences made of aluminum or wood.
Traps must have holes for drainage and should be checked daily.
Aquatic Traps
For trapping aquatic salamander species, submerged funnel traps or wire minnow traps work well. Aquatic traps should be anchored to the pond/stream bottom with wire or string. Effective bait includes small pieces of fresh fish, chicken liver, or mealworms placed inside perforated bait containers.
Traps should be checked every 12-24 hours.
According to a 5-year amphibian monitoring project published on Nature’s website, the average trapping success rate for aquatic salamanders was over 80% higher when biodegradable wire traps were used rather than plastic designs.
Other DIY Options
For the ambitious salamander trapper, there are many creative do-it-yourself designs to consider:
- Handmade wood or wire mesh cages
- Small fencing around cover objects to corral salamanders
- Submerged net traps for aquatic species
- “Ramp” traps utilizing angled boards or tubing
When experimenting with DIY traps, be sure to use ethical designs focused on temporarily capturing, studying, and releasing salamanders unharmed back into their natural habitat.
Baiting and Luring Salamanders
Food Baits
Salamanders love to eat juicy bait like worms, grubs, and maggots. These creepy crawlies make excellent bait options when trying to trap salamanders. Worms are a go-to bait for many amphibian trappers – simply place them on or under traps and wait for salamanders to take notice of the wriggling meal!
Grubs can be found under rotting logs and burrowed in the soil – use a small shovel or trowel to dig them up. Skewer grubs on small hooks under trap doors or cage openings. Maggots are fly larvae and can be purchased from bait shops or cultivated at home from rotting meat scraps.
Salamanders find the squirmy maggots hard to resist!
For best results, use live bait that moves and gives off scent cues. This triggers the salamander’s hunting instincts, luring them into your traps more effectively. Always be sure to attach and secure bait properly so salamanders don’t steal it without getting caught!
Pheromone Lures
Specialized pheromone lures can also help attract salamanders when placed in or around traps. These synthetic scents mimic the natural pheromones emitted by salamanders to signal mating availability and mark territories.
Certain companies like Advanced Lures manufacture a variety of amphibian attractants. Their salamander formulas contain expertly crafted blends of pheromone molecules and scents that appeal specifically to various salamander species.
Using these smelly cues in combination with bait can boost your trapping success!
Shining Lights
Believe it or not, salamanders are drawn to lights at night! Using bright flashlights or lanterns around trap areas can help lure night-active species. The light attracts insects which salamanders feed on. It also piques their natural curiosity, bringing them out of hiding.
For best results, use LED lamps or chemical light sticks secured near traps openings. Bright illumination covering a 2-3 foot diameter works well. Make sure lighting is properly directed at trap entrances so incoming salamanders investigate and enter.
Position traps along likely salamander pathways in areas they frequent to intercept them during nightly wanderings.
Patient trappers can rack up catches by combining light lures with tasty bait options. Just check traps promptly each morning before the day’s heat sends salamanders back into moist refuges! With the right luring techniques, your traps will be full of squiggly salamanders in no time.
Checking and Removing Traps
Daily Checks
It is crucial to check salamander traps at least once per day, preferably in the early morning or evening when salamanders are most active. When checking traps, approach cautiously and move slowly to avoid startling any captured amphibians.
Carefully peer inside each trap using a flashlight to get a clear view without casting shadows. If traps are empty, make note on your data sheet and reset the traps if needed. If salamanders are present, gently remove the trap lid and proceed to the next steps for safe handling and removal.
Safe Handling
Always handle captured salamanders gently and keep them moist. Using moistened hands or a soft cloth, carefully transfer salamanders from the trap to a plastic container with a damp paper towel. Avoid grasping slender extremities too tightly as they are delicate.
Work quickly but steadily to minimize handling time and stress. For venomous species like newts, wear latex gloves and avoid contact between skin and secretions. Once removed from the trap, temporarily house salamanders in covered buckets or coolers out of direct sunlight while working at the site.
Data Collection
Record key details about each captured salamander such as species, sex (if known), length, weight, physical condition, etc. Clear, in-focus photos of key identifying features are extremely helpful for verification by experts later.
Unusual markings, color phases or abnormalities are also important to document. If certain individuals need to be tracked over time, use a gentle finger swab to collect skin cells for DNA analysis or humanely tag limbs with visible implant elastomer.
Having robust data allows analysis of population dynamics and better understanding of local habitat usage over time.
Humane Release
Always return salamanders to their exact capture location within a few hours. Select shaded, sheltered areas near water and wetlands offering plenty of hiding spots. Gently tip containers to allow amphibians to exit on their own accord rather than grasping fragile bodies.
This further reduces handling stress and lowers risk of injury during the release process. Monitor their behavior briefly to ensure they are recovered and capable of moving normally on their own. Keep accurate records of release locations and any pertinent details that could inform future survey efforts in the area.
Conclusion
With the right traps, locations, timing, bait, and handling procedures, trapping salamanders can be an effective conservation and research technique. Following this guide will have you catching these slippery amphibians with ease in no time.
Just remember to always put safety and humane care first so populations aren’t negatively impacted.
We’ve covered all the key factors, from seasonal timing to the perfect bait blend for irresistible traps. The rest is up to your creativity and dedication to mastering the art of salamander trapping. Happy herping!
