Larvae surviving winter

[oregon newt]

Since some caudates are fall and winter breeders, how do the larvae or eggs survive the harsh winters?

 

[Azhael]

During hard winters, ponds freeze, but if they are deep enough or have a current, they won´t freeze completely. The larvae simply survive under the ice, like fish and any other animal.
Keep in mind, caudates can tolerate cold temperatures, as long as they are not 0ºC, which means they can thrive at 1ºC. Pond life slows down during winter, but there´s still life, so the larvae keep eating and growing, usually becoming bigger than they would if they didn´t overwinter.

 

[Otterwoman]

In the books I've read about newts, observers describe seeing Notos swimming under the ice of ponds, so I think they must do pretty well in the cold.

 

[Kaysie]

Some species lay eggs in the fall, but these don't hatch until the spring. A. opacum lays its eggs in small depressions, which fill up in the spring. This gives the eggs a head-start on others that may migrate to the breeding pond.

 

[taherman]

Fall and winter breeding plethodontids typically lay their eggs in caves or other underground recesses that are below the frost line, and thus avoid freezing temps.