Red-spotted Newt

Also known as Eastern Newt, Red Eft, Eastern Red-spotted Newt

Red-spotted newts lead a fascinating three-stage life, transforming from aquatic gilled larvae into bright orange, land-dwelling red efts before returning to the water as olive-green breeding adults. During their terrestrial eft stage, which can last up to seven years, their brilliant coloration warns predators of the potent tetrodotoxin in their skin. Once they mature into aquatic adults, they develop a paddle-like tail and navigate ponds and slow-moving streams to hunt and mate.