| Description: The
Red-spotted Newt ranges in size from 1.5-5 inches. Terrestrial
adults, called red efts, are dull to bright orange with bright red spots
encircled with a black border. They range in size from 1.5-3.5
inches. Aquatic adults are olive green with yellow bellies.
Aquatic adults have the red spots as well. They range in size from
2.5-5 inches.
Habitat: Red efts are found
upland, moist woods. Aquatic adults are found in ponds, woodland
pools and other aquatic places.
Behavior: Terrestrial newts
have a rough, dry texture unlike most other salamanders which have moist,
smooth skin. Young Red-spotted Newts are born from eggs laid in
water. The larvae transform into the red eft stage, spending 1-3
years on land before returning to water. Once in water they
transform once again into the aquatic adult. Occasionally the red
eft stage is skipped, and the larvae transform directly into aquatic
adults. |
