Spotted salamander

Spotted salamanders lay their eggs in masses and surround the mass with a gel matrix to protect them. The gel may be opaque or clear (as it is in this case). This egg mass contains larvae that are very close to hatching out. The greenish tinge around some of the eggs is from symbiotic algae which help provide oxygen to the growing larvae. Spotted salamanders are considered vernal pools obligates and will generally only lay eggs in fish-free environments.