Amphibians depend on fresh water for their survival. Funny thing, so do we and most other creatures!
When we reduce the amount of water that we use for washing dishes and clothes, watering the lawn or taking baths and showers, more fresh water is available for our wildlife neighbors. In the state of Texas, in fact, a major threat to the survival of at least two threatened amphibians – the San Marcos and Jollyville salamanders – is excessive water use by neighboring human populations. This lowers the water table and reduces the amount of suitable aquatic habitat for them.
You can do your part to reduce these threats. To conserve water, consider such things as:
- installing aerators on kitchen and bathroom faucets,
- swapping existing showerheads for low-flow varieties,
- taking showers instead of baths,
- installing water dams or investing in low-volume flush toilets, and
- not letting water run for a cold drink – keep a container of drinking water in the refrigerator.
For more information on conserving water in your home, you can visit the following websites:
