Eggs are laid in small clusters on the submerged portion of emergent vegetation, on submerged vegetation, and on the underside of rocks off the bottom. The eggs are normally laid in shallow water attached to submerged twigs or rocks. Rainfall is important in the maintenance of breeding ponds and streams in some localities. Terrestrial individuals are relatively inactive in subterranean refuges most of the year. Migrations to and from breeding areas usually occur at night during, or just following, rains.
Some migration also takes place on cloudy days.
Breeding adults and aquatic larvae are active both day and night. The first rains of fall usually initiate migration to breeding localities. Once at the breeding sites, adults become aquatic and may remain in or near these ponds and streams for several weeks. Adults migrate back to subterranean refuges in the spring, where they spend the summer aestivating. Migrations are delayed until as late as May at higher elevations of the Sierra.