AMPHIBIA: CAUDATA: FAMILY: Notaphthalmus

Notophthalmus viridescens Author and date

Red-Spotted Newt (adults)/ Red Eft (young)

Photos & text by R. G. Sprackland, Ph.D.

Range: Eastern United States from New England south to northern Florida and west to Louisiana.

Diagnosis:

Description:

Natural History: This is a salamander with a well-known double life. Young, after metamorphosis from the aquatic stage, emerge as red-spotted pink terrestrial salamanders known as red efts. As efts they live in moist habitats under lea litter and in rotting logs. Upon reaching maturity the pink skin becomes olive green and the eft returns to the water as newt.

Reproduction: 

(Above) Red eft on a moist and decaying log.

Taxonomy & Relationships: There are several closely related species of American newts in this genus.

Variation:

Additional Comments:

Type Specimen:

Literature: