Big Night (amphibians)

Big Night is an annual event common to amphibians as they emerge from underground hibernation in the spring, travel to vernal pools, and mate.

The reason it is referred to as a big night is because there is a large number of salamanders moving at the same time.

Warmer air and loose soil coupled with rain cause salamanders to leave their underground burrows.

[2][3][4] The breeding locations are areas where vernal pools develop from snowmelt and spring rains.

[2][4] Although referred to as the Big Night, the event for a species sometimes occurs on several occasions over days or weeks.