Eastern Red Spotted Newt
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Amphibia |
| Order: | Urodela |
| Family: | Salamandridae |
| Genus: | Notophthalmus |
| Species: | N. viridescens |
| Source: Integrated Taxonomic Information System | |
Eastern Red Spotted Newt (WIP)
The Eastern Red Spotted Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens) is a salamander native to Eastern North America [2]. It is a common amphibian [1], which means it is cold-blooded [2] and can be found in wet forests, small lakes, streams and ponds [6]. They frequently switch between aquatic and terrestrial habitats throughout their lives. They have 4 distinct life cycles which they are able to switch between based on their environment. The stages are 1) egg, 2) aquatic larva, 3) eft (terrestrial adult) and 4) newt (aquatic adult) [2].
Description
Habitat and Range
Life Cycle
There are three post-hatching stages in the newt's life cycle: (1) aquatic larva, (2) terrestrial (juvenile) eft, and (3) aquatic adult. [9]
Diet
Newts are extremely active and feed every two to three days. They eat insects, mosquito larvae, ants, beetles, worms, crustaceans, small mollusks, frog eggs, and worms [10].
Behavior & Reproduction
References
[1] Creature Feature: Eastern Red-Spotted Newt - Raritan Headwaters. (n.d.). . https://www.raritanheadwaters.org/2020/03/20/creature-feature-eastern-red-spotted-newt/.
[2] Eastern (Red-Spotted) Newt - Watchable Wildlife - NYS Dept. of Environmental Conservation. (n.d.). . https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/67022.html.
[3] ITIS - Report: Notophthalmus viridescens viridescens. (n.d.). . https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=173616.
[4] Maryland Biodiversity Project - Eastern Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens). (n.d.). . https://www.marylandbiodiversity.com/view/470.
[5] Red-spotted Newt. (n.d.). . https://www.virginiaherpetologicalsociety.com/amphibians/salamanders/red-spotted-newt/red-spotted_newt.php.
[6] Red-Spotted Newt. (n.d.). . https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Wildlife/Fact-Sheets/Red-Spotted-Newt.
[7] Species Profile: Red-spotted Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) | SREL Herpetology. (n.d.). . https://srelherp.uga.edu/salamanders/notvir.htm.
[8] Red-spotted Newt. Red-Spotted Newt. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2022, from https://dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/information/red-spotted-newt/?msclkid=fc5748ddd15b11ec9a64ff92396799f1
[9] Red-spotted Newt. Red-Spotted Newt. (n.d.). Retrieved May 11, 2022, from https://dwr.virginia.gov/wildlife/information/red-spotted-newt/?msclkid=fc5748ddd15b11ec9a64ff92396799f1
[10] Wood, J. T., & Goodwin, O. K. (1954). OBSERVATIONS ON THE ABUNDANCE, FOOD, AND FEEDING BEHAVIOR OF THE NEWT, NOTOPHTHALMUS VIRIDESCENS VIRIDESCENS (RAFINESQUE), IN VIRGINIA. Journal of the Elisha Mitchell Scientific Society, 70(1), 27–30. http://www.jstor.org/stable/24334334