Anton Sorokin

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Flora & Fauna of CA

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Breeding California newts (Taricha torosa) drift in a muddy cow pond in the East Bay region of California. The male (above) will hold onto the female (below) rubbing his chin on her and wafting his tail - if she is charmed he will deposit a spermatophore on the pond bottom which she will pick up to fertilize her eggs.

A breeding ball of California newts (Taricha torosa) begins to form in the shallows - it all starts when a male newt grabs a female - the two may stay like this for hours. But when other males see their chance they may attempt to insert themselves into the situation and wrest control of the female from the previous male. This leads to an aquatic wrestling match or a tug of war with the female in the middle - other solo male newts may also join the scrum until it consists of many animals all vying for control of a the female newt.

A breeding ball of California newts (Taricha torosa) - it all starts when a male newt grabs a female - the two may stay like this for hours. But when other males see their chance they may attempt to insert themselves into the situation and wrest control of the female from the previous male. This leads to an aquatic wrestling match or a tug of war with the female in the middle - other solo male newts may also join the scrum until it consists of many animals all vying for control of a the female newt.