Red Spotted Amplexus

[crevalle]

I've got 10 Red spotted newts and just think they're the best. They just fascinate me. I just got them a week ago, but am trying to breed them. My question is, do newts perform amplexus without actually exchanging anything? I've seen a male twice wrap his back legs tightly around a female (towards the front of the female) twice now, but I never see any fluids or spermatophores, etc.

How do you tell if they are actually breeding?

Thanks.

 

[slowfoot]

It will be hard to tell if they are actually breeding.

The male basically tries to convince the female to pick up a spermatophore through a series of dance moves and pheromones. Amplexus can last a long time, then the male will walk away slowly, fanning his tail, and drop a spermatophore. If everything worked, the female will follow and pick it up. you can sometimes see this happen, or see the spermatophore on the female's cloaca. Otherwise, you probably won't know until you have fertilized eggs laid.

Good luck with them!

 

[crevalle]

Thanks for the information, I really appreciate it. I'll keep my eyes peeled.