Red eft – 4/2/05

Observer: Paul Lauenstein

Observation Date: 4/2/05

Observation TIme: 10:00 p.m.

Observation Location: crossing Moose Hill St. (near TTOR)

Common Name: Red eft (juvenile terrestrial form of eastern newt)

Scientific Name: Notophthalmus viridescens

Comments: The eastern newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) is a common newt of eastern North America. It frequents small lakes, ponds, and streams or nearby wet forests. The eastern newt produces tetrodotoxin, which makes the species unpalatable to predatory fish. It has a lifespan of 12 to 15 years in the wild, and it may grow to 5 in (13 cm) in length. The striking bright orange juvenile stage, which is land-dwelling, is known as a red eft.

Along with yellow-spotted salamanders, wood frogs, spring peepers and other amphibians, red efts can be found migrating to vernal pools on “Big Night” – the first rainy night after the snow melts in late March or early April.

More Information: Wikipedia