Searching for Unique Amphibian Eggs
Japanese common toad (Bufo japonicus formosus)
Strings of eggs
The huge numbers of common toads congregating in ponds in April is known as gama gassen in Japanese. Gama means toad, and gassen competition. During this annual event, one that signifies the transition from winter to spring, male toads fiercely compete to mate with female toads. The female toads produce gelatinous strings containing several thousand eggs.
Japanese black salamander (Hynobius nigrescens)
Egg sacs submerged in water
The eggs of the Japanese black salamanders are attached to twigs under water. The semi-transparent, white egg sacs have a distinct oval shape.