Jefferson salamanders
Ambystoma jeffersonianum
What’s the status on Jeffersons?
In both Ontario (provincially) and Canada (Federally), the Jefferson salamander is Endangered, meaning it lives in the wild but is facing imminent extinction. Everyone needs to do their part to help protect the few Jefferson salamanders we have left. We’re so lucky to have this rare species calling Burlington’s backyard home!
Where can I find a Jefferson?
With the exception of our Jeff & Sally hand painted salamanders made for the hide and seek game (March Break 2024), you probably won’t be able to spot a Jefferson in the wild. They spend most of their life hiding under old logs and other leaf litter in mature forests. In the spring, they emerge from their hidden winter habitats and travel to vernal pools in the early spring, where they will lay their eggs. Wondering what a vernal pool is? They’re areas of the forest that temporarily flood in the spring, but dry up by the end of summer.
What do Jeffersons need to survive and thrive?
They rely on clean water and wetlands for breeding. They also need connectivity across landscapes to be able to travel to and from their different habitat needs. Road mortality is a significant problem for Jefferson salamanders, which is why we’re so glad to see the City of Burlington closing King Road in March of each year to help reduce the risk for our local population.
What’s threatening the Jefferson populations?
These salamanders love to live here, and so do we! With such a great city to call home, Burlington and other areas in the Greater Golden Horseshoe are predicted to expand their capacity for human homes. This development can be a real problem for Jefferson salamanders, as their critical breeding habitat overlaps with slated Urban Growth Centres (ECCC, 2023). This is creating a real hazard for the survival of our local Jefferson populations, as the road network and demand for aggregate extraction is expected to grow to meet the urban expansion. This will cause increased population fragmentation and road mortality, resulting in further decline of Jefferson salamander numbers (ECCC, 2023).
Reference: https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/species-risk-public-registry/recovery-strategies/jefferson-salamander-unisexual-ambystoma.html
What can you do to help?
While we know the challenges that lay ahead, it’s important that we do as much as we can now to protect the current population levels and implement measures to help the Jefferson salamander populations recover. The Nelson Aggregate’s open-pit quarry extraction application threatens the future of the Jefferson population in and around the Mount Nemo Plateau. Help a Jeff out and sign our petition to urge your MPP and Premier to say STOP, NO MORE QUARRY!
Want to introduce your kids to the Jeffersons?
We’re so pleased to bring to you the first ever children’s book all about the Jefferson salamander! Join Jeff & Sally as they travel between their winter and summer habitats, having fun and tackling real life challenges along the way!
