Spotted salamander (signs)

Description:

Sorry, no picture of an actual salamander in this one, but here are some signs of their breeding. Spotted salamanders breed in vernal pools (temporary wetlands). They have internal fertilization. The males place spermatophores on twigs and leaves under the water. The first pic is of spermatophores on a leaf that we pulled out of the water. The second is of what they look like when underwater (white dots). The female then picks up spermatophores from several males and later lays eggs. The third picture shows an egg mass. Spotted salamanders lay eggs surrounded by a gel layer. In this picture, the gel is clear but it can also be opaque and look white.