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The New England mole salamanders spend the winter in "hibernation" beneath the frozen soil. The spotted, blue-spotted and Jefferson salamanders all spring breeders) emerge for the spring migration to vernal pools when the ground thaws and the spring rains begin. Often, their journey to their breeding pool will require them to cross patches of snow and ice. When they get to the pool, ice could still be on the surface. (The other NE mole salamander, the marbled salamander, breeds in the fall.)