My DVD “Between Land and Water,”  Life stories of Connecticut’s Amphibians has been out for two years now and is still going strong!  Please read some of the testimonials below:


Connecticut is home to 22 kinds of salamanders, frogs and toads.  Most remain hidden in the forests, swamps and streams that share our neighborhoods – until now.  Naturalist Brian Kleinman has captured some stunning images on a DVD that brings the world of Connecticut’s amphibians into your home or school.

The DVD joins Brian on his quest to document the seasonal life cycles of these fascinating creatures.  We get to experience the sights and sounds of his amphibian safari and share in his excitement with each discovery.  The first capture of the “purple salamander” along a gurgling forest brook in summer, a deafening midnight chorus of treefrogs, the cold, rainy night march of the spotted salamanders, the springtime aquatic dance of the newt, and much more.

The close-up video images provide a truly unique look at these often misunderstood animals.   You will be amazed at the range of patterns, colors and behavior on display in the amphibian world and will discover new things with each viewing.

However, the thing that I like most about this DVD is that after viewing it, you want to go right out to the local forest or swamp and start looking under logs to see what new neighbors you might find.  An activity that I suspect Brian would wholeheartedly endorse!

Hank Gruner
Vice President, Programs
Connecticut Science Center

Salamanders (and Other Cool Things You May Have Forgotten)

I purchased a copy of Between Land & Water: Life Stories of Connecticut’s Amphibians, a DVD filmed in Connecticut. I don’t buy a lot of frog movies…but my friends were raving about this one. It was only $25, supported our community awareness and I figured my family would watch it and donate it to a school. Well—we’re keeping our copy. You have to buy your own! Yes, it’s a film about amphibians, and discusses habitat loss and fragmentation—but in a way that is uplifting and informative. I hadn’t listened to the sounds of a pond in years. I hadn’t thought of bright orange salamanders (You know, the ones that clamber through wet leaves in the morning after a good rain). They have clever toes and pale spots if you’re lucky enough to see them. Did you know that Connecticut has bright blue salamanders and even black ones with yellow dots? How perfectly delightful this video is to remind me of all the things I’ve been missing. Don’t forget the frogs and toads, with their cheeps and sneeps and burbles! See this DVD and share it with kids or parents of any age. It’s a wonderful reminder of our diminutive neighbors—the variety of nature. Next time you drive Stamford’s “country roads”, turn off the radio. Roll down the window to listen, driving so slowly a toad could get out of the way.

Lisa Dennis Fernandez
President
Stamford Land Conservation Trust


I really liked the seasonal approach [of the documentary] and the way it crams in tons of information about the biology, habitat use and natural history of the animals. Viewers get a broad education in amphibian biology while getting up close and personal with species they likely never knew inhabited their own backyards.

"Few people realize that we have species such as spotted salamanders that rival exotic species in their gaudiness and bold coloration. Or species such as the red eft, which are not only brightly colored but also warn potential predators about their significant skin toxins in the same manner as the famous poison-dart frogs. Even fewer people realize that most of our salamanders live on land and breathe without lungs or gills. Or that they breed using direct development, where tiny salamanders walking out of their eggs and skip the aquatic larval stage altogether.

"Hopefully this documentary will be the eye-opener that will catch people's attention and inspire them to go out and learn even more about Connecticut's frogs and salamanders. It is a treat to see the diversity of Connecticut's amazing amphibians, both in appearance as well as in biology, highlighted in such an intimate manner!"—Twan Leenders

Twan Leenders
Conservation Biologist
Connecticut Audubon Society ,
Curatorial Affiliate of Vertebrate Zoology
Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History
&
Author of A Guide to Amphibians and Reptiles of Costa Rica

COMING SPRING/SUMMER 2010

REPTILES OF CONNECTICUT
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