Males are distinguished by their longer tail, more slender build and presence of nasolabial grooves running from the nostrils to the upper lip. Eggs are laid in moist depressions in moss or leaf litter. It is thought that these secretions contain anti-bacterial and fungal chemicals. In captivity such parental behaviour does not always occur, especially if the salamanders are constantly disturbed. It is therefore wise to check on the eggs only occasionally.
Larval development takes place entirely within the gelatinous egg shell.
Miniature replicas of the parents hatch out after 55 - 80 days and must be separated from the adults who are likely to eat them. Sexual maturity is achieved after 2 to 3 years. For the first time in 1998 I was able to breed the large-blotched ensatina. Occasionally she would leave them in search of food during which another female would brood the eggs. Near hatching I experimented by removing a single egg.