Salamanders of New England Film Screening

Thursday, April 2, 6 pm
with filmmaker Ray Asselin and herpetologist Alan Richmond
Free, registration appreciated.

Salamanders are some of our most mysterious amphibians. Living below ground, or underwater, they’re seldom seen, if ever, by most people. Probably the most familiar is the Red Eft, that bright orange juvenile stage of the Red-spotted newt that seems to magically appear on the forest floor during or after rains. Terrestrial salamanders, when they do come to the surface, are primarily nocturnal, so we don’t get many opportunities to see them. The aquatic species remain just as elusive, given that few of us are spending any time in the kind of underwater worlds they inhabit.

“The Salamanders of New England” film will give us a close look at every salamander species that inhabits New England. We’ll see examples of the typical complete salamander life cycle, from egg to larva to adult, as well as some interesting behaviors. Timelapses will show larvae developing in their transparent eggs.  All 12 New England salamander species will be featured, with scenes we promise you’ve likely never witnessed. There will be a Q&A session following the film, and UMass herpetologist Alan Richmond (retired) will be with us to answer all those questions you’re bound to have.