Eastern NewtNotophthalmus viridescens
Quick facts
- Rarity
- Uncommon
- Active during
- Morning
- Found in
- Pollywog Cove
- Length
- 4 in
- Wingspan
- 1.5 in
From the field notes
Diet
These hunters have a large appetite. They spend their time foraging, eating everything from worms and snails to mosquito larvae.
Metamorphosis
Unlike most amphibians, these eastern newt lives three distinct lives. It hatches as a gilled aquatic larva, transforms into a land-dwelling juvenile (aka a red eft), and finally returns to the water years later as an aquatic adult.
Defense
In all its life phases, this newt secretes a potent neurotoxin, but its defense strategy changes. In the water, it relies on camouflage. On the exposed forest floor, it turns bright orange to actively warn predators away.
Internal Compass
When they are ready to mate, the adults travel great distances back to the exact pond where they hatched. Their ability to sense the Earth's magnetic field and an enhanced sense of smell helps them navigate the dense forest.
Cellular Miracle
These newts possess the genetic ability to flawlessly regenerate lost limbs, spinal cords, and even complex tissues like their own heart muscle in just a few weeks.