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Eastern Newt (Adult) - Notophthalmus viridescens
This is an adult eastern newt. Dorsally, they are olive green with small red spots that are outlined in black, while their bellies are yellow with small black speckles. The juveniles (red efts) are easily recognized for their bright orange-red color. Adults are aquatic, but they can survive on land if their aquatic habitat becomes unsuitable or if there's a drought. We have had tons of rain lately, so I'm not sure why this salamander was on land on this point. It was definitely well fed, as evidenced by its chubby abdomen.
Habitat: a very wet, mixed forest. This salamander did not want me near it and was very skittish, so I only got this shot and then left it alone.
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.
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