A good all day soak is sure to trigger a start to this springs migration! In general, the first wave is when mole salamanders, spring peepers, wood frogs and chorus frogs make their move to the vernal pools to get the party started. Jefferson salamanders usually lead the pack with Spotted salamanders following. The cold temps are not a deterrent for these early migratory species because the have strategies to counter the threat of ice and snow. The salamanders will simply burrow into the leaf litter, ground or under logs. The frogs have a similar game plan, but the first 3 species all have a tolerance to freezing! Their liver creates a chemical that displaces water in the major organ and muscle tissue areas, thus offsetting the damage that would kill them from ice crystal formation. Wood frogs can be frozen solid like a rock! Of course it will all come to a screeching halt when it all turns to 3-6 inches of snow overnight! The struggle is real.