Junipero Serra Blvd.

The salamanders in the Stanford foothills must cross this road to reach Lake Lagunita. One salamander tunnel can be seen under the road.
Junipero Serra Blvd.
Copyright © 2004, Magic, Inc.

Why are the salamanders in the Stanford foothills endangered?

We are very fortunate to have a population of California Tiger Salamanders in the Stanford foothills. Unfortunately, however, this population is just as much under threat as other populations around California. Very much of the reason that Magic and others are working hard on this project is because we are very concerned that if we do not act quickly, we will lose our salamanders altogether.

The "Tunnel of Love"

This tunnel, under Junipero Serra Blvd., was built so that salamanders would have a safe way to reach Lake Lagunita.
The "Tunnel of Love"
Copyright © 2004, Magic, Inc.

While the salamanders live in the foothills throughout most of the year, when they mate, they go to Lake Lagunita, a seasonal lake on the Stanford campus. Unfortunately, there is a busy road, Junipero Serra Blvd., between where they live and the lake! Hundreds of salamanders are found dead on the road each year, as the salamanders try to cross over to get to the lake.

Salamander Barriers

These barriers were put into place in order to prevent salamanders from reaching the road and directing them instead into the tunnel built under the road.
Salamander Barriers
Copyright © 2004, Magic, Inc.

In 2001, a special tunnel was built under the road so that salamanders could cross to Lake Lagunita without getting run over and three more were built in 2003. But have you ever tried to convince a salamander to use a tunnel? It isn't very easy at all! To try and get the salamanders to use the tunnel, special barriers were also built near the tunnel to prevent them from reaching the road and guide them to the tunnel. We do not know yet how effective these measures are at preventing unnecessary salamander deaths.

Unfortunately, the busy road is not the only thing threatening the California Tiger Salamander. Stanford University would like to build apartments and houses on the land around Lake Lagunita.¹ If this happens, the area that the salamanders have long used for breeding will be under direct threat. For now, the development plans are on hold, since both federal and state agencies have asked the county to wait for further study.² But we do not know how long it will be possible to make developers wait. This is another reason it is very important for us to develop new habitatHabitat

The area or environment where a particular species lives for the salamanders as soon as possible!

1. Source: Palo Alto Online
2. Source: Committee for Green Foothills

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There are several factors that are responsible for the decline of the salamander -- but one common cause.  homeThe California Tiger Salamander

Click here to learn about why this fascinating creature is threatened, where it lives, how it lives its life and why we need to establish new vernal pools for it.  nextWhere does the California Tiger Salamander live?

Find out just where you can find the California Tiger Salamander.