​When winter cloaks the land in its frosty embrace, most of us are thinking of the holidays filled with delicious food, drinks and gracious gift giving, but have you stopped to think about what salamanders do during the winter months? Most of us imagine salamanders tucked away, snuggled under layers of leaf litter or soil, dreaming of springtime ponds.  But the truth about these elusive creatures is a bit more enchanting than you might expect. These tiny amphibians don’t just disappear—they embark on a season of quiet magic, hidden from human eyes.

A Salamander’s Winter Lair
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Picture this: Under the snow-dusted forest floor, a tiny Spotted Salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) snoozes in its cozy burrow, curled like a comma in a sentence of compassion. It’s shiny black skin, adorned with bright yellow spots, is almost too glamorous for the subterranean world it calls home. Salamanders are master burrowers, spending their winters in underground hideaways, sometimes sharing their space with earthworms or the occasional mouse.
But these aren’t just ordinary holes in the ground; they’re salamander sanctuaries! The soil stays warmer than the icy air above, offering a perfect retreat from winter’s harshness. Beneath your boots on a snowy hike, these little critters are quietly living out their frosty fairy tale.

Photo: Vernal Pool Association
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Now, picture this: In the hush of winter, when the world above is frosted in silver and white, stream salamanders weave a slow-moving magic beneath their icy, watery homes. Common stream dwellers like the northern dusky salamander (Desmognathus fuscus) and the northern two-lined salamander (Eurycea bislineata) rely on cutaneous respiration, breathing through their skin in a delicate exchange with the water around them. Adults may choose to burrow in the slippery stream banks while their larvae overwinter in deep pools that don’t freeze fully. Winter’s chill may slow their movements, but the colder water holds more dissolved oxygen, drawing life from the oxygen-rich current. 

slumber, brumation is more of a dreamy doze where salamanders tucked into leafy blankets and curled into secret chambers are suspended in stillness, waiting, half-awake, for the sun’s warm hand to nudge them back into the world of the vibrant rush of spring.
Why Care About Winter Salamanders?
It’s easy to overlook these pint-sized residents of Northeast Ohio’s forests and streams, but salamanders are vital to the ecosystem. They help control insect populations and serve as a key link in the food chain. Plus, their mysterious lives add a sprinkle of wonder to our winter worlds.
So, the next time you’re trudging through the snow on a gray February day, pause for a moment. Beneath your feet, a salamander might be dreaming of moonlit ponds, and the orchestra of spring peepers. Let’s raise an imaginary mug of hot cocoa to these magical, miniature creatures of winter. They remind us that even in the coldest, darkest months, life hums along in secret, spinning stories of resilience and wonder.
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Kendra Heiser is the Furnace Run Watershed Coordinator at SSWCD.

​As winter settles in, the challenges to maintaining healthy watersheds shift along with the season. Snow and ice may blanket our landscapes, but that doesn’t mean our efforts to protect water quality and natural ecosystems should pause. In fact, winter is a critical time to take steps that will benefit our local streams, rivers, and lakes.
Here are some ways you can help maintain watershed health during the colder months.

​Why It Matters
Healthy watersheds provide clean drinking water, support wildlife, and protect against flooding. The actions we take during winter—small though they may seem—play a big role in maintaining the integrity of these ecosystems.
By making conscious choices about how we manage snow, salt, soil, and water use, we can ensure that our watersheds remain resilient through the winter and beyond. Together, let’s keep our rivers, streams, and lakes thriving for generations to come.