Vernal pools are very important to amphibians such as frogs and salamanders because this is where they lay their eggs. Vernal pools only appear in the spring, when rain collects on the ground. Because there is no running water in or out of the pool, this means there are less predators, such as fish, that might eat the amphibian’s eggs. 

Other animals also come to vernal pools in search of food, or as a place to rest. Learn more about other animals that visit vernal pools by visiting Maine Audubon’s website.

Look For Evidence

Do you see shallow impressions in the ground when you’re walking in the woods? In springtime, do they fill with water to form large puddles? Can you hear frogs singing in spring when there is water nearby?

Why protect verbal pools?

Some of the animals that breed in vernal pools are rare or threatened species. Without vernal pools, they would have no place to lay their eggs and continue their species. When a pool contains fairy shrimp or the egg masses from blue spotted salamanders, spotted salamanders, or wood frogs, it is called a “significant” vernal pool. Maine’s Department of Environmental Protection monitors these special places. FBC has vernal pools on several of its conserved lands.