# Eastern Newt (*Notophthalmus viridescens*) The Eastern Newt is a small, bright orange newt that loves the water. They can be very shy and like to hide among plants. - **Category:** [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/amphibian) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 174 - **Habitat:** Freshwater lakes and ponds - **Also known as:** Red Eft, Red Newt ![Eastern Newt](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771425795/objects/5662.jpg) ## Appearance The Eastern Newt has a slender body, ranging from olive green to brownish, with a yellow belly. Its most distinctive feature is a row of bright red-orange spots bordered in black along its back. The terrestrial "red eft" stage is vividly orange-red with similar spots and rough skin. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Amphibia - **Order:** Caudata - **Family:** Salamandridae - **Genus:** Notophthalmus ## Interesting facts - Eastern Newts can live up to 15 years, much longer than many amphibians! - Sometimes, many newts hibernate together in muddy pond bottoms! - Their bright orange 'red eft' stage warns predators they are toxic! - They return to the same pond to breed, even after years on land! ## Special abilities - **Toxic Defense:** Eastern Newt has a powerful toxin in its skin that helps protect it from most predators, making them too risky to eat. - **Life Cycle Wizardry:** Eastern Newt can change through three life stages – larva, land eft, and aquatic adult – helping them survive in various habitats. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 6.5-14 cm - **Weight:** 0.001-0.005 kg - **Lifespan:** 2-15 years - **Speed:** 0.2 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 200-400 - **Metamorphosis:** 60-150 days ## Diet & Feeding These newts are small hunters, munching on tiny bugs and worms found in water and on land. - **Age differences:** Larvae eat microscopic organisms, efts eat terrestrial invertebrates, and adults primarily eat aquatic invertebrates. - **Primary Foods:** insect larvae, small insects, snails, worms, tadpoles, crustaceans - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** Common Garter Snake (*Thamnophis sirtalis*) — Snakes are one of few predators that can tolerate their toxins. - **Eaten by:** [Raccoon](https://www.snappit.app/explore/raccoon) (*Procyon lotor*) — A generalist predator that will consume newts if found. - **Hunts:** Non-biting Midge (*Chironomus plumosus*) — Adult newts prey on these common aquatic insect larvae. - **Hunts:** Marsh Pond Snail (*Helisoma trivolvis*) — A common aquatic snail species eaten by adult newts. ## Traits - [Wildlife](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wildlife): Wildlife encompasses all undomesticated animal and plant life existing in their natural habitats. - [Webbed Feet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/webbed-feet): Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Regenerative](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/regenerative): Regenerative organisms possess the ability to regrow lost or damaged body parts, tissues, or organs. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. ## Collections - [Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/amphibians) - [Reptiles & Amphibians](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles-and-amphibians) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Look but don’t touch. Keep a safe distance and wash hands after exploring. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eastern Newt? Compare body shape, toes, markings, tail and skin texture. Tadpoles and larvae can look nothing like the adults they turn into. Amphibian Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Eastern Newt? 6.5-14 cm ### How much does Eastern Newt weigh? 0.001-0.005 kg ### How long does Eastern Newt live? 2-15 years ### How fast can Eastern Newt move? 0.2 km/h ### What does Eastern Newt eat? These newts are small hunters, munching on tiny bugs and worms found in water and on land. ### Where is Eastern Newt usually found? Freshwater lakes and ponds ### How does Eastern Newt hunt? Foraging ## Where to spot - [Bear Meadows Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bear-meadows-natural-area) — Pennsylvania, US · Nature Reserve - [Bear Swamp](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bear-swamp) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve - [Buchanan State Forest](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/buchanan-state-forest) — Pennsylvania, US · Forest - [Carriage Paths, Bridges and Gatehouses](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/carriage-paths-bridges-and-gatehouses) — Maine, US · Historic District - [Chesham](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chesham) — New Hampshire, US · Historic District - [Chesterfield Gorge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/chesterfield-gorge) — Massachusetts, US · Nature Reserve [View all places to see Eastern Newt](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/eastern-newt) ## More Amphibians - [Eastern Red-backed Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-red-backed-salamander) (*Plethodon cinereus*) - [California Slender Salamander](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-slender-salamander) (*Batrachoseps attenuatus*) - [Cuban Tree Frog](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cuban-tree-frog) (*Osteopilus septentrionalis*) - [European Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/european-toad) (*Bufo bufo*) --- Source: [Eastern Newt: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-newt)