Fish & Wildlife: Watch Out for Reptiles on Roads

The Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife is warning motorists to watch out for reptiles and amphibians in the roadways.

Spring brings reptiles and amphibians back onto the Vermont landscape and that means thousands will be crossing roads and highways in search of breeding pools.

Fish and Wildlife Zoologist Mark Ferguson says the migration can lead to high mortality rates among some species.

Roadkill mortality, forest fragmentation and loss of wetland habitat have contributed to the decline of several of Vermont's reptile and amphibian species.

Ferguson says most amphibian migration takes place over several rainy spring nights. On those nights drivers should slow down on roads near vernal pools and wetlands, or they should try to find an alternate route.