Reply #30: We have salamander crossings

[Lefta Dissenter]

the seasonal migration route takes the tiger salamanders across our road, so when we see the first one, we put up "Salamander Crossing" signs to warn drivers and bikers (we're on the Ironman bike route, so there's a constant stream of bikers around here, training). Then particularly on the damp evenings, there can be dozens of the little guys plodding across the road. We go up to carry them across, and oftentimes people will stop to move several as they drive or pedal by. Sometimes we'll have to use 5-gallon buckets, fill about half-way with salamanders, carry them across the road to the little park, empty them out, lather, rinse, repeat. It can be a race against the drivers when you see the little crawler from 50 yards away, and there's a car approaching - some people are completely oblivious to what is on the road in front of them.

Last summer we moved a big snapping turtle across in the same spot. I had to run home and get a big shovel to use as a transport vehicle for him, though, because nobody was going to just put him in a bear hug to carry him across!

FUN! :)