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.
Ten Facts about Eastern Newt
- They grow to 5 inches in length.
- Eastern Newts have three stages of life: the aquatic larva or tadpole, the red eft.
- They need a moist environment with either a temporary or permanent body of water, and thrive best in a muddy environment.
- Eastern newts eat a variety of foods such as insects, small mollusks and crustaceans, young amphibians, and frog eggs. They also eat worms.
- They have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years in the wild.
- Adults mate during spring.
- Females lay 200 - 400 jelly covered eggs on submerged vegetation.
- They has poisonous chemicals in its skin so predators will not eat them.
- Adult newts and larvae are eaten by fish, turtles, birds, and other predators.
- They commonly founds in Southeastern Canada and eastern U.S.
