Why did the amphibians cross the road?

The rainy early-spring nights last weekend this week brought out the annual migration of spotted salamanders and wood frogs from the uplands across the woods and fields (and roads) to vernal pools to breed. As in past years, the amphibians chose the night after Lincoln’s Annual Town Meeting to make their move, noted Tom Gumbart, Lincoln’s conservation director, who took these photos.

The salamander is about eight inches long and the wood frog is about 3.5 inches. Both species lay eggs in water that hatch into larvae with gills, which eventually grow lungs and legs. (In contrast, the Mexican axolotl, which is the subject of this entertaining song and video, is neotenic, meaning it does  not undergo metamorphosis but keeps its fins and gills through adulthood—and no, drinking salamander goo will not change its developmental fate).