Do Salamanders Eat Frog Eggs?

If you’ve ever watched a pond in spring, you’ve probably seen jelly-like clusters of frog eggs floating near the surface. With salamanders living in the same waters, it’s natural to wonder, do they eat those eggs?

Yes, many salamanders do eat frog eggs, especially when food is scarce or if they’re easy to reach. Frog eggs are soft, protein-rich, and don’t fight back, making them an easy meal. Both adult salamanders and their larvae may eat frog eggs, particularly in the early part of the breeding season.

While they don’t go out hunting for frog eggs specifically, they won’t pass up the chance if they come across them.

Why Would Salamanders Eat Frog Eggs?

Salamanders are opportunistic feeders. That means they’ll eat just about anything they can catch and swallow, especially if it’s soft and full of nutrients.

Frog eggs fit that description:

• They’re soft and don’t require chewing.
• They don’t move, making them easy to grab.
• They’re high in protein, which helps fuel growth.
• They often show up during breeding season, when salamanders are also hungry.

Sometimes frog eggs are the first available food in early spring, especially when insects and other prey are still scarce. So even if they’re not a salamander’s favorite meal, they’re still on the menu.

Do All Salamanders Eat Frog Eggs?

Not all, but many do, especially those that live in the same habitats as frogs.

Adult Salamanders

Some adult salamanders, especially larger species like tiger salamanders or spotted salamanders, will eat frog eggs if they come across them. They might bite into a jelly mass and swallow several eggs at once.

Salamander Larvae

Even young salamanders, still in their larval stage, will sometimes nibble on frog eggs. If they hatch near a clutch of frog eggs, it’s an easy source of nutrition.

That said, not every individual goes for eggs. Some may pass them by, especially if better prey is available. But if food is low, eggs are often one of the first backup options.

Are Salamanders a Major Threat to Frog Eggs?

They can be, depending on the situation.

In some ponds or wetlands, salamanders and frogs lay eggs around the same time. This overlap creates opportunities for salamanders to eat freshly laid frog eggs.

If there are a lot of salamanders and not much else to eat, they might consume a significant portion of a frog’s clutch. But in most cases, they’re just one of many threats.

Frog eggs are also eaten by:

• Fish
• Insects
• Snails
• Other frogs
• Birds

So while salamanders do eat frog eggs, they’re usually not the only predators involved.

Do Salamanders Prefer Tadpoles Over Eggs?

Yes, usually.

Frog eggs don’t move, and they’re covered in thick jelly. That makes them a bit harder to eat than tiny swimming tadpoles. Once tadpoles hatch and begin to move around, they become more appealing targets.

Many salamanders hunt by detecting movement. A wiggling tadpole is easier to spot and triggers a feeding response more strongly than a floating egg mass.

So while they might eat the eggs when they’re fresh and soft, salamanders often switch to tadpoles once they start swimming.

Is It Normal for Amphibians to Eat Other Amphibians’ Eggs?

Yes, and sometimes they even eat their own.

In the wild, amphibians don’t follow rules about family or loyalty. If food is scarce, even a frog might eat another frog’s eggs. Some salamanders are known to eat their own species’ eggs if they’re hungry enough.

It’s all part of survival. When spring comes and the ponds fill with life, many animals lay eggs at the same time. T

he pond becomes one big buffet, and each animal tries to make the most of what’s available. Research has shown that cannibalism among amphibians occurs widely, particularly during breeding seasons when food competition is high.

Which Salamanders Are Most Likely to Eat Frog Eggs?

Some common species that are known to eat frog eggs in the wild include:

• Tiger salamanders: These large ambush predators eat almost anything they can overpower.
• Spotted salamanders: Often lay their eggs in the same ponds as wood frogs, and may eat nearby frog eggs.
• Eastern newts: In their aquatic adult stage, they may snack on frog eggs if they’re close by.
• Mole salamanders: Known to share breeding grounds with frogs, and may occasionally feed on eggs.
• Marbled salamanders: These lay eggs earlier than frogs and are often around when frogs start breeding.

Aquatic larvae of these species may also feed on frog eggs if they hatch near them.

Do Captive Salamanders Eat Frog Eggs?

In captivity, it’s not very common, mostly because frog eggs aren’t usually offered as food.

However, if frog eggs were introduced into a tank with a large, hungry salamander, there’s a good chance they’d be eaten.

That said, frog eggs are not a recommended food item for pet salamanders. They don’t provide balanced nutrition, they spoil quickly in warm water, and they may carry disease or parasites if taken from the wild.

Captive salamanders should be fed safer, more reliable options like:

• Earthworms
• Crickets
• Bloodworms
• Black soldier fly larvae
• Nightcrawlers
• Waxworms (as treats)

These foods are much easier to manage and healthier for long-term care.

Can Salamanders and Frogs Live Together?

It depends, but usually not in a tank.

In the wild, salamanders and frogs often share habitats, especially during the breeding season. But even then, they compete for the same food, and salamanders may eat frog eggs or young frogs if they get the chance.

In captivity, it’s not a good idea to house them together. Salamanders might attack frogs, eat their eggs, or simply stress them out. Their environmental needs (humidity, temperature, light) may also differ slightly.

Keeping them apart is usually the safer choice.

Can Salamanders Eat Toad Eggs Too?

They might, but not often.

Toad eggs are usually laid in long strings, not clusters, and they tend to have stronger chemical defenses. Some toad species release toxins even at the egg stage, which can make them less appealing or even harmful to predators like salamanders.

That said, in desperate situations or if the species is one with weak defenses, a salamander might eat a few.

But in general, frog eggs are eaten more often than toad eggs.

Conclusion

Yes, salamanders do eat frog eggs, especially when they’re hungry, the eggs are nearby, and other food is hard to find.

Frog eggs are soft, easy to grab, and full of nutrients. While they’re not a salamander’s favorite food, they’re definitely on the list when the chance comes up.

Both adult salamanders and larvae may feed on frog eggs, particularly during the early breeding season when everything is laying eggs at once.

This doesn’t mean salamanders are out to hunt frogs, they’re just doing what works for their survival. In the wild, every meal counts, and frog eggs are an easy catch when they drift close by.