Eastern newt: juvenile red eft
It was great to learn about this brightly coloured and spotted juvenile stage of the eastern newt's life cycle.
The striking bright orange juvenile stage is land-dwelling and is known as a red eft.
This is specifically the red-spotted newt Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens sub-species.
Striking colouration of this stage is an example of aposematism, a warning to predators not to eat them.
After two to three years, the eft finds a pond and transforms into the aquatic adult.
Needing a moist environment with either a temporary or permanent body of water; sure enough, this specimen was seen on a forest floor close to small stream.
Around 7 cm in length.
© All rights reserved.
Eastern newt: juvenile red eft
It was great to learn about this brightly coloured and spotted juvenile stage of the eastern newt's life cycle.
The striking bright orange juvenile stage is land-dwelling and is known as a red eft.
This is specifically the red-spotted newt Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens sub-species.
Striking colouration of this stage is an example of aposematism, a warning to predators not to eat them.
After two to three years, the eft finds a pond and transforms into the aquatic adult.
Needing a moist environment with either a temporary or permanent body of water; sure enough, this specimen was seen on a forest floor close to small stream.
Around 7 cm in length.
© All rights reserved.