Eastern Newt - Notophthalmus viridescens
I think this was a juvenile in the process of becoming an adult. Usually, juveniles are completely orange and adults are olive dorsally and yellow ventrally. This individual was a combination.
It was super curious and seemed content to chill out on my hand for awhile...probably happy to get some of my warmth on this chilly day.
Habitat: Pondside; deciduous forest
The eastern newt or red-spotted newt is a common salamander of eastern North America. Eastern newts dwell in wet forests with small lakes or ponds. They can coexist in an aquatic environment with small, non-carnivorous fish, however, their skin secretes a poisonous substance when the newt is threatened or injured. They have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years in the wild, and may grow to 5 inches in length.
