Eastern Newt (Adult) - Notophthalmus viridescens
My kids love catching these salamanders-- to the point where I have to tell them to STOP catching the salamanders before they traumatize them.
This is the adult form of this salamander. 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.
Habitat: pond
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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