Deep in the forest, male California Newts swim among dead leaves layered thick on the bottom of a shallow pool.

Their normally pebble-textured skin has become smooth, their skin color changed from brick red to a sleek dark brown.

Note the tail of the newt at the center of this photo. It has become flattened to aid in swimming. In some instances, its dorsal will become wavy along its length.

These adaptations only occur during the breeding phase.

 

This female California Newt is heavy with fertilized eggs.

She will search among the murky shallows until she finds a suitable place to lay her eggs.

Note her color, she's remained red and her tail still looks much as it does year round. She is easy to spot in the dark shallows and she will not out swim the males.

 

Oops.

Beyond the obvious, two things are worth noting. The tail of male newt is ridged with small waves and its hind legs have thickened due to being waterlogged from having spent so much time in water. If too much water is absorbed, male newts run the risk of drowning.

 

uh oh.

Pairing newts are sometimes joined by other males. At times the water boils with frenzied activity as males vie for position.

Note the edge of the tail of the male in the center of the photo. It is slightly wavy and its hind leg has grown thick.

 

hey!

When a female newt has had enough, she's had enough. Unfortunately, this is sometimes hard to communicate to the male newt.

In an attempt to hang onto her, the male will grip her more tightly behind the front legs. He will bash his head against hers and generally get rough.

 

HEY!

Thrashing about, it almost appears as though this male is trying to drown the female. Surprisingly, he does this to stimulate the female who has sensitive zones just below the skin on the back of her head. Mating mostly occurs underwater. While coupled, the pair glide around the pool at various depths. Now and again, they surface for a quick gulp of air before . . .

 

Even after such an active encounter, this female appears to have plenty of energy while the male looks nearly spent.

She was the only female observed escaping the embraces of a male. She left the water and headed straight back to the forest.

Maybe to her,
a she-newt needs a he-newt like a fish needs a bicycle. . .

 

Flee!

As a coupled pair, followed by another male in close pursuit, suddenly swam beneath her, this little female came to life and quickly distanced herself. (She looks as though she's swallowed a marble.)

 

These two females have chosen a submerged tree branch as a place to lay their eggs. Eggs can be seen extruding from the female on the left. The female on the right is still getting into position.

 

Here, two female newts have nearly completed laying their eggs. Note the other egg clusters along the submerged branch. Below them, a coupled pair glide through the murky shallows.

 

In this photograph, the egg laying technique is easily seen. Gripping the branch with both fore and hind legs, the female newt extrudes her eggs.

 

Exhausted by egg laying, this female hangs motionless from an egg-laden branch.

To learn more about the California Newt, visit the USGS Amphibians & Reptiles website.