Eastern Newt

 

Eastern Newt   (Notophthalmus viridescens )

If you come across an Eastern Newt, you are probably looking at the juvenile version. Known as an eft, they are much more terrestrial than the adult newts which are almost completely aquatic. We only have images here of the eft as we have only seen the adult version without a photo opportunity. A park naturalist caught an adult in a net during a nature outing and, for him, it was a very rare find. 

Eastern Newts prefer slow moving water where vegetation is plentiful and the banks are wooded. They feed on insects and other invertebrates. Efts are found on moist forest floors. They release a toxic secretion that is effective against most animal predators. Their bright red colour and orange spots serve as a warning.