The Amphibian life cycle came alive for Duzine second graders during a recent trip to Mill Brook Preserve. Described as masses “shaped like spaghetti with bumps and cloud blobs with marbles in them,” American Toad and spotted salamander egg sacs were among the many discoveries students in Sara Shepard’s Grade 2 class found during their visit. Seeing them in their natural environment helped the young herpetologists to better understand how the temporary aquatic habitat protects the young amphibian because it won’t support fish that would eat them. The larvae hatch with gills for breathing underwater and with fins for swimming. As they mature, their bodies metamorphose, developing lungs to breathe air and growing limbs for walking.

In a new beaver pond, the class also found caddisfly larvae that are sensitive to pollution, evidence of good quality water. Other exciting findings included crayfish, minnows, diving beetles, and water scorpions. According to Shepard, spending time in the preserve has contributed to the students becoming wildlife ambassadors. “To love something you need to take care of it, you need to know it...and you can’t get that from a book. You have to breathe it in,” she sums.