How to Care for Blue-Spotted Salamander Eggs

The blue-spotted salamander, or Ambystoma laterale, generally grows to around 8 inches long and has a thick, stocky body. This amphibian gets its name from the smattering of electric blue spots all over its black, shiny body. Blue-spotted salamanders can lay up to 30 eggs at a time and they are ready for hatching after about 45 days. Salamanders in captivity typically lay their eggs during the spring. Caring for these eggs is somewhat challenging, but rewarding if you are a salamander enthusiast.

Things You'll Need

  • Plastic containers
  • Fish net
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Instructions

    • 1

      Fill a plastic container -- large enough to hold all of the eggs -- with clean water. Cover the container and let it sit until the water is room temperature.

    • 2

      Scoop the eggs out with a small fish-catching net, which you can find in any pet store. Salamanders typically lay their eggs on or around aquatic plants, so use care when removing the delicate eggs.

    • 3

      Place the eggs into the plastic container. Separating the eggs from the adult salamanders is a precautionary step; some amphibians are known to eat their own eggs.

    • 4

      Change about half of the water in the container daily. Every two days, move the eggs to a clean container with clean water.

    • 5

      Remove any eggs that become white and fuzzy. This is the result of a fungus that grows on "dud" eggs. If the affected egg is not removed, the fungus may spread to the healthy eggs.

    • 6

      Repeat Steps 4 and 5 for 30 to 45 days, which is the length of time it typically takes for blue-spotted salamander eggs to hatch.