This week we’re going to spend a year in the life of the Blue-spotted Salamander. In the early spring, Blue-spotted Salamanders emerge from their overwintering sites and begin their journey to breeding habitats such as vernal pools and wetlands. Once there, adult salamanders mate underwater and later lay up to 200 eggs. About a month later, the eggs hatch and larvae emerge. Larvae spend part of the summer in the water with gills and a tail eating aquatic insects and crustaceans. Once they have developed legs, the now juvenile salamanders leave the wetland and begin residing on the forest floor foraging for insects and worms at night and using logs, rocks, and leaf litter for protection. As they enter adulthood, Blue-spotted Salamanders darken to be almost black, develop more blue spots along their sides, and reach a length of up to 16cm. As winter approaches, salamanders must find a suitable place to spend the cold winter months — commonly using mammal burrows and root cavities.
Welcome! Watch this space for upcoming activities.
MINE TOURS AND OTHER PROGRAMS
Yes…there will be Silver Queen Mine Tours this summer!The park is planning to have guided tours on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 10am. Sundays will feature the regular Open House at the mine (10am to noon). The first tour will be Canada Day (July 1).Registration for all guided tours will open Monday, June 27. Space is limited so you must pre-register at the gatehouse or call 613-267-5060. Registration is not required for the open houses.ALSO!Evening Programs will be Saturday nights, starting in July. The time will change based on our daylight hours.Snake Talks will be every day at 2pm outside the visitor centre, starting Canada Day.Exploration stations, prop tables, and Kids programs will be advertised the week of on our program boards.Stay tuned for a great summer!For the latest information on COVID-19 precautions and available amenities at Murphys Point (services, facilities, attractions) during the 2022 season, be sure to check https://www.ontarioparks.com/park/murphyspoint.
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