FACT: Red-backed Salamanders Rule!

[@schmoyoho]

gonna start calling these Plethodons so I can feel like I’m living in dinosaur times. another fantastic episode, salamanders are amazing!!!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Thank you schmoyoho.... yes... Plethodons! what a great name...I feel it!! have you checked out my amphibian and reptile playlists? especially the newt videos....the red eft stage is the coolest! btw...i used a plastic stegosaurs as a prop to compare to Asssasin bug wheel bug...I think that will give you a chuckle too!

[@LittleJordanFarm]

Awesome...my granddaughter is going to love your channel..blessings

[@natureatyourdoor]

Awe! Thank you! be sure to send my any questions she might ask! Keep me posted!!! :-) Have a great day!

[@Terri_Stauffer]

Another great informative video. Love the redback salamander, see them all the time. They live under the logs, the leaf litter, the rocks. I just mulched the garden with life litter so I am sure they are loving it. Did not know about skin, only handled them a few times, but will make sure to wet hands or put soil on them.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Hi Terri, always great to hear from you! Yes...i try always to make that point about handling salamanders since I encourage finding, connecting with nature...hands-on ...but i do want no harm to salamanders.

[@TFerrazzo72]

This was such an awesome video! I find these guys every month of the year in North Eastern Maryland and Northern Delaware. We were out doing an Eastern Tiger Egg-mass survey on Maryland's Eastern Shore in early January, and in this one 20 × 20 area next to one of the Vernals, we flipped about 10 red-backs under about 5 logs. They really are everywhere! So glad I found your channel! Great stuff.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Way way awesome! Love all the ambystomas!! incredible that the tigers are out breeding this early. On my property here in floyd...now 50 acres at 2700 ft I have IDed Red salamamanders, duskies, spring, red-backed, two-lined, all 3 stages of the newt, slimey salamanders! Pretty good backyard foray so far!

[@natureatyourdoor]

I am hoping to be discovered by herp community. Salamanders of course are my favorites...have you checked out my reptile/salamander playlists? More to come! And thanks so much for kind words!

[@TFerrazzo72]

I'll have to check it out!!

[@willswalkingwest7267]

I just recently moved to NW Georgia after living in Central Florida most of my adult life. I've been having a ball finding salamanders up here and photographing them. The Red Backs certainly seem to be most common along with Slimy Salamanders. The whole Plethodon life cycle thing is fascinating to me. I was happy to see your video this morning, someone FINALLY showing some love to this very interesting and beautiful animal.

[@natureatyourdoor]

That makes me so happy to know Willswalking West! I have been dissapointed that my salamanders video have not yet got more traction! Check out my salamander playlist and let me know what you think! see if this link works... kzbin.info/www/bejne/nWG6dIpnbqtolas So glad you discovered my channel. I just started about a year and a half ago...and I think google and alogorthm are just starting to take notice and I am earning some exposure now.

[@willswalkingwest7267]

@@natureatyourdoor Hi Frank. The link works great. I'm looking forward to having a go at all of these videos. I'm no expert on the KZbin algorithms but my understanding is that the more likes and subscribers you have the more the videos are "suggested". I know a few KZbinrs who make decent $$ and they all took a long time to get some traction. Sometimes you have to sort of be a good marketer, going into like minded videos and leave comments in the bottom with a link to your channel. I know wildlife people, especially herpers, are HUNGRY for material to watch. I've recommended your channel to homeschool parents, it'd be a great biology curriculum. You might even explore that option and search out groups of homeschool people and suggest your channel. I hope you keep it at it and let it grow. You have a good speaking voice and personality and so far as I've seen your editing is good so I wouldn't worry too much about that aspect. Take care.

[@natureatyourdoor]

@@willswalkingwest7267 thanks Willswalkingwest...yes..thinking more about marketing...thumbnails..titles! I do a lot of outreach to homeschoolers through many homeschool specific social media accounts. It has been an interesting journey. I have seen several hero KZbin channels and think my reptile and amphibian videos are as good if not more informative then theirs. Still trying to figure out how to get that exposure. I researched some mix messages concerning the effectiveness of commenting within some of those. I may try it. Appreciate you support and encouragement very much and look forward to more intellectual content engagement with you as you check out my salamander and herp productions! You seem KZbin savy..i am not..new world to me so I really value your observations!

[@DAYOLDHAGGIS]

So I found a few of these guys around my house, also in SWVA. I usually use ortho home defense in the spring and fall. Does this harm these little guys? Should I find an alternative? If so what? Ear wigs and stink bugs are a real problem and would rather not have them but also don't wanna hurt my salamander family

[@natureatyourdoor]

Yeah...the ortho is not great for amphibians and non pest insecta that are part of natural ecology but know one wants insects INDOORS!!! Check out my pesticide free stink bug detterents...methods that were tried by viewers that worked for them. I think yoh might find something that really works to deter both!

[@natureatyourdoor]

See this video...let me know what you think and absolutely let me know what you might try and compare results to ortho! kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2XSXmpvpNJlrs0

[@chrisegnoto]

Hey man I like your content I think you do a good job at it and if you are ever up for it perhaps we should do a coal lab or something of some sort might be fun

[@natureatyourdoor]

Hi Chris! Thanks for kind words! It would be very fun to collaborate with you! I have always said that you and I both see things and value and teach in such similar ways! Ha! Coevolution is real!

[@SniperkingSogeking04]

I found 4 of these lovely creatures while clearing leaves and moving a dirt pile on my driveway in NJ and they're absolutely gorgeous! Ended up moving them to the woodpile out back so that we wouldn't step on them by accident!

[@natureatyourdoor]

This is how I got hooked in biology...found them under rocks and old metal trash cans in my backyard growing up...in SUMMIT, NJ!! 😊

[@messitup]

I found one around my house today!!! I believe it was hibernating! It was brilliantly red. Such a cutie.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Awesome! My boyhood salamander I first discovered under a trash can that inspired my career in biology!

[@swayback7375]

Could be long tailed if bright orange with black specks, also a great creature and common in certain areas

[@6996katmom]

Somehow I lost the video where you showed how to make a trap for stink bugs. Can you direct me to it? I looked on your site and can't find it.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Well Katmon! I just made a brand new video just for you! : see kzbin.info/www/bejne/lX6lnICKjZKdedU Also, Please check out my most recent update on Pesticide-free Stink Bug deterrents that is based on over 1000 viewer comments on what viewers tried and what WORKED for them! Click: kzbin.info/www/bejne/i2XSXmpvpNJlrs0

[@benjaminsudlow1704]

love your video! - using it as an entertaining reference while trying to sculpt a 'taxidermy' replica 😀

[@natureatyourdoor]

Cool! Let me know how it goes! Send me a picture to natureatyourdooryt.gmail.com! 🙂

[@krystaldaniels7940]

When I was little we used to find marbled salamanders under the pine straw behind our house. They were so cool to find! Unfortunately, I've not seen one since I was a little girl. I'm sure their habits are being destroyed all over our state, land is being cleared at an astonishing rate, making way for new subdivisions all over the place😔

[@natureatyourdoor]

HI...thanks for share Krystal. agreed.

[@erinjury3770]

i am obsessed with these little guys! look for, and find them all the time hiking here in central pa! and i am so glad you did a video on them! super fun and informative. have there been a lot of studies/observations done about them? i haven’t found a lot of articles or sites with any in depth info on their behavior: how they mate, how do they pick a partner? is it a lifetime partnership? how many times in life do females lay? how many do they lay? how long are they pregnant? are their ways to distinguish between male and female? do they sometimes eat each other ? if so, why? will babies ever be eaten by mom? would it be likely to find eggs without the mom right there ? i have seen them blink, do they sleep with their eyes closed or just kind of rest? what kind of intelligence do they have? so many questions ☺️

[@natureatyourdoor]

Ah so many great questions! I am in biology today because of my youthful discovery and fascination with these. Have you seen my salamander playlist?

[@erinjury3770]

@@natureatyourdoor i have not! that sounds like something id like! where can i find that? your youtube?

[@natureatyourdoor]

@erinjury3770 here is my salamander playlist! Enjoy! And comment...let me know what you think and I ll answer q s as well! kzbin.info/aero/PLEA-dkKfegRQg86xq-SdE_nYghEhsO6kT&si=qfDdO5jJHuVeksgO

[@VolcanoTimeLapse]

very cool! thank you!!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Glad you liked it Volcano! :-)

[@blessedbees4247]

Salamanders are some of the most fascinating creatures on the planet. I have a question for you please Frank; when I was in the Florida Keys studying the Poison Wood tree I was staying on Big Coppitt Key. I went outside to poke around the house I was renting at the time, and saw a huge Salamander. Or I think it was a Salamander. It was around 14 -16 inches in length and a dark gray, almost black, color. Do you think it was a Salamander, and if so, what kind ? It was the biggest one I had ever seen and have not seen one that big since !

[@natureatyourdoor]

Wow..amazing salamander..wonder if it could have been a hellbender...not sure how far south they go.

[@michaelpeterson5691]

I grew up in Puget sound area in Washington state on acreage. All roadside open drain ditches terminated close to my residence on a dead end road. Frogs galore, a full symphony in early spring. Because I saw salamanders on occasion I felt they weren't as plentiful. I am greatly moved upon learning of their true numbers. I see their affect in the forest as a check and balance--- truly fascinated!!!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Yes pretty cool Michael! Glad to have you on the channel here!

[@michaelpeterson5691]

Am interested in housing bats and am wondering if you have any knowledge on that subject?

[@leafwitheyes2473]

Wow! I love the colour!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Yes! They are beautiful little creatures! If you want to see some REAL color...check out my Newt videos! like this one! kzbin.info/www/bejne/jauXc4mogbFnnsk

[@mothernaturessongs3350]

The kids and I love going out and finding all the creepy crawlies, we've found a few redbacks this Summer and Fall.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Awesome! Finding redbacks as a little kid inspired my life long career in biology. 😊👍

[@KekeLight8]

A question here, we just had to replace our driveway top section got widened and poured on Friday come out on a Monday morning and there is about 10 dead salamanders on the concrete. Any idea how this occurred and how I can prevent them from dying again. The only difference to the driveway is it's now not cracked as well as a curb on one side of it and wider the width of a car. Thanks for any suggestion I feel bad these poor little guys

[@natureatyourdoor]

That is really unusual! I never heard of that. I wonder if there was a mini migration event going on...and the concrete may have some caustic or screwy ph thing going on when freshly poured. Maybe a really high ph? Was there a rain or heavy dew?

[@KekeLight8]

@@natureatyourdoor thank you it is brand spanking new and there was slimy stuff all around each salamander. So maybe the sealer. I'm just hoping it doesn't become a salamander killing field. Thanks for getting back to me much appreciated

[@KekeLight8]

Do you have a way of naturally and safely getting rid of slugs they are becoming and excessive problem. We're also trying to make the yard much more friendly for the birds and bees with the same time the slimy Critters are exploding

[@natureatyourdoor]

I tried looking up ph of wet concrete to no avail. I believe it probably has a very high ph...basic...concrete takes up to two weeks to full cure ...and unsealed it is proud and surly will take a while to leach out ...

[@KekeLight8]

@@natureatyourdoor thank you it was sealed and we'll need to be sealed again but that makes a lot of sense. So hopefully it will not be an ongoing issue. Thanks again

[@gerardjohnson2106]

Thanks

[@natureatyourdoor]

You are welcome. My favorite salamander!!

[@mellewedin8221]

I found a couple in the wood pile. Their home was being turned up and they wouldn't have it anymore. So I bought a tank just for them and they are now living in my home. I set the tank very similar to the wood pile. I have worms, fly larva, there are other small insects in with them too. And going to buy them pin head crickets. I do have 2 of them I believe are male and female. They very close to each other in the yard. They have tons of moss and spray them down daily. They have uvb light very low watt. I keep frogs so I very confident they will thrive here. Its a shame they are captive bred. I tired looking for captive bred before taking the wild ones. But again their home is no more cuz of us. So I gave them one.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Hey thats great! Sounds like you got it covered! Keep me posted on how they do!

[@PatriceClarkkayiales]

These littlw guys are always fun to find, i used to find them when i was a kid. Lol my little now find them and we go seeking to see what we can find. We found one today, and also found a spotted orange newt.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Finding them ignited my passion for nature and biology as well. Great you are sharing that with next generation!

[@gkrstini]

first time i heard that you could find salamanders under flowerpots, i usually find them in little concrete water ponds that hunters made for wild game

[@natureatyourdoor]

Yes! These are fascinating little guys that can be found virtually in any damp locations!

[@donnaml8776]

What do they do when it goes below freezing?

[@natureatyourdoor]

Good question...they will go deeper into the ground. Also many amphibians have a kind of antifreeze and can freeze at least partially and still recover! That is a whole other story in itself!

[@justacinnamonbun8658]

They can't be that common here in NJ. I know most of the state's soil is poisoned though, maybe that's why. After being alive for 45 years and having been all over the state as well as PA and NY and parts of CT, I found a red back salamander about 3 weeks ago during a rain event, it was crawling up the side of my home chasing down very small earthworms that were also climbing. It's currently a pet for the kids, we're going to release it in the spring at a nature trail that's nearby, the trail has drainage ditches on the sides that always have water at some level.

[@natureatyourdoor]

When I lived and grew up in New Jersey it was the most common of the salamanders and easy to find under rocks and logs and trash cans or patio bricks...even in suburban residential areas. 50 years later I have not been back in Jersey today looking for salamanders so I can't comment on populations or ecosystem health right now. Thanks for share! 👍

[@DangerVille]

What if a Salamander was 100 ft long?

[@natureatyourdoor]

Ooooooooo! And hey.,,Plethodon! Sounds like a dinosaur name, doesn't it, DangerVille!

[@natureatyourdoor]

Lol...i respond to comments on my channel in real time whenever I can! 😉 Thanks for watching my channel...i aleays enjoy engaging my viewers!

[@justanotheralmaroad1923]

Haven't seen any salamanders/newts in a few years. Grew up hearing them called Mud Puppies. I still call them by that name.

[@natureatyourdoor]

Mud puppies is a great general name for them. I usually associate the term mud puppy with one particular impressive aquatic species!