Do females lay eggs regardless of fertilization?

[ky4nn4]

This may be a stupid question, but if one was to have just a single female axolotl in a tank, would she lay eggs (obviously unfertilized) every spawning season?

 

[Kaysie]

Probably not. It's been known to happen, but most females just reabsorb the eggs.

 

[racheljritchie]

not a stupid question at all (i have been wondering the same thing) as i have just had first clutch of eggs a few weeks ago. If my female was full of eggs and my male didnt lay down spermaphores would she lay the eggs or not? and if she didnt lay them would this be bad for her health?

 

[Kaysie]

It's not bad for them to not breed. Females (of many species) develop eggs regardless of male presence. While placental mammals have developed menstruation to get rid of unused eggs, salamanders just break the eggs down and reincorporate their contents.

Amphibians generally do not become 'eggbound', where the eggs need to be passed. This is because their eggs are soft and squishy, unlike reptile eggs, which have a tough coating.