Photographs of adult spotted salamanders (Ambystoma maculatum) from Livingston County, Michigan. Adult spotted salamanders spend most of their time living underground in forests, and it is rare to see them on the surface. However, during the early spring rains, often when there is still snow on the ground and ice in the water, the adult salamanders leave their underground homes and migrate to vernal pools to breed. In Michigan, spotted salamanders will often breed at the same time as Wood Frogs, Spring Peepers, Chorus Frogs, Tiger Salamanders, and Blue-Spotted Salamanders.

During breeding, the adult salamanders engage in dance-like behaviors called "liebesspiel". The male will then lay down a spermatophore, which is a small packet of sperm. The female salamander will pick up the sperm, and use it to fertilize her eggs. The female spotted salamander's eggs are then laid on some substrate like leaves or sticks.

All text and photographs © Michael F. Benard
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