Notophthalmus viridescens
Copyright, John White
The Eastern Newt, also
called the Red-spotted Newt, has several different life
stages. The adult
Eastern Newt can grow over five inches long. It is
yellowish-brown or olive colored on top, and yellowish on
its belly. It has small black and red spots. The larval
stage is similar in color to the adult. It is smaller and
has flower-like gills
coming from its head. There is also an "eft"
stage. The eft is found on land and is bright orangish-red
or reddish-brown. It grows to over three inches. Copyright 1999-2002, Ohio
History Central Here is how the Eastern
Newt's life
cycle
works: First, the adult newts,
which live in water, mate in early Spring. They leave the
water to do this. Then they return to the water. Next, the female newt
lays eggs (over a hundred), one at a time, on underwater
plants. The eggs hatch in a month or two. The next stage is the
larval stage. Eastern Newt larvae, as descrbed above, look
like mini-adults with gills. They are only a 1/2 inch long
when they hatch. Copyright, Swantje Willms
and Steve Koenig Eastern Newt larvae eat
small aquatic
insects and crustaceans. The larvae leave the
water in late Summer and transform into efts. The efts live
on land for up to four years. They do not have gills, but
like all newts and salamanders, must keep their skin moist.
They are most often seen crawling around after a heavy
rain. Efts eat small insects
(especially springtails), snails, and other small
arthropods. In Winter, efts will
hibernate
under logs or stones.
Tom Gula, Amphibians and Reptiles of New Jersey
