In the early stage of courtship, the sexually developed male newt (Cynops pyrrhogaster) vibrates its tail in front of the female. Administration of androgen and prolactin (PRL) to sexually inert male newts is known to elicit this behavior. The effects of ovariectomy and hormonal treatment on the induction of male-like tail vibration behavior were studied in female newts, which never show such behavior in an intact state. Ovariectomy elicited the behavior with a low incidence and frequency. Estradiol supplementation almost nullified the effect of ovariectomy. Treatment of ovariectomized females with a combination of testosterone propionate and PRL markedly increased the frequency of the behavior.