Larvae may become cannibalistic and feed on small larvae of their own kind and others. Because the adult salamanders spend most of the time, outside of the breeding season, hidden in the ground or under leaf litter their exact feeding habits are not known. Reproduction The Jefferson salamander is one of the earliest seasonal breeders, migrating to breeding ponds in late winter or early spring, often before the ground and ponds are completely thawed. The first group of males typically precedes the arrival of the first females. Current data suggest that while males breed annually, females may skip one or more years before breeding again.
Salamanders are unique among amphibians in practicing internal fertilization.
During courtship, the male deposits a spermatophore, a packet of sperm that the female picks up with the lips of her cloaca. The spermatophore is then stored in her spermatheca until she is ready to lay her eggs. While there is no direct cloacal contact, fertilization is internal. Females may begin to lay eggs one to two days after mating. The eggs are 2-2.5 mm in diameter and are encircled by a vitelline membrane and three jelly envelopes.