Back to photostream

Red Eft Phase of the Eastern Newt

The eastern newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) is a common newt of eastern North America. It frequents small lakes, ponds, and streams or near-by wet forests. The eastern newt produces tetrodotoxin which makes the species unpalatable to predatory fish and crayfish.

It has a lifespan of 12 to 15 years in the wild, and may grow to five inches in length.The striking bright orange juvenile stage, which is land-dwelling, is known as a red eft.

 

West Virginia, USA

1,049 views
24 faves
8 comments
Uploaded on April 2, 2017