The spotted salamander is relatively common and widespread in New York State. Spotted salamanders are most noticeable in the early spring for a short period of time when they congregate in large numbers to breed. During this explosive breeding period,which usually occurs in March or early April, spotted salamanders may be seen at night making mass migrations toward nearby pools and ponds. The breeding migration generally is triggered by the first warm, steady spring rains, even if there is snow remaining on the ground. The males, who often arrive first, begin swimming about in a highly active state that becomes nearly a frenzy when females arrive in the pond to mate. During courtship and mating, adult male spotted salamanders deposit gelatinous white sperm packets on sticks or on the bottom of the pond. These packets are very easy to spot and serve as the first clue that spotted salamanders are present in a pool or pond. A female will swim over the packet and take up the sperm into her cloaca. Within one to a few days, the female lays eggs in gelatinous masses of usually 100 to 200 eggs, attaching the egg clusters to aquatic vegetation or sticks. Eggs usually take from 30 to 50 days to hatch, dependingon the temperature of the water. The new hatchling starts out as an elongate tadpole, with external gills near the neck region, and short buds in place of front limbs. As the tadpole develops, toes form on the front feet, rear legs sprout near the base of the tail, and it ultimately loses its gills and tail fin, all in preparation for life on land.
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