Nature Note: the Red-spotted Newt
By Brian Gasdorf

To be called a “newt” would certainly be less than complimentary. Yet, for nature lovers, the word newt conjures up a delightful image of an unusual salamander that lives in the forested areas of Kentucky – the Red-spotted Newt (Notophtalmus viridescens). Newts are unique salamanders with a life cycle consisting of four stages instead of three – egg, larvae, juvenile eft, and adult newt. The remarkable life of this common, yet fascinating salamander demands a closer look.

As with most amphibians, the red-spotted newt begins life as an egg laid underwater. In late spring, a mother newt can lay approximately 350 eggs—that’s eggcellent! After a month or so, the eggs hatch and the larvae utilize external gills for oxygen. They survive in their watery crib by feasting on a myriad of life at the bottom of ponds or other still-water habitat. As the summer’s end draws near, larvae have grown to the size of a paperclip—WHOA!

Most larvae go through a miraculous metamorphic change and turn into red efts. The external gills disappear and internal lungs develop as the efts leave their aquatic homes to temporarily live on land. Efts are brilliantly colored with a neon orange background and red spots encircled with black rings. They are quite striking and hard to miss on a stroll through the woods.

Like typical teenagers, these efts are stuck in an awkward phase of life. They are ready to take on the world and do what most other self-respecting and predator-fearing salamanders would never do—that is, come out during the day. After periods of rain in warmer weather, efts emerge in great numbers on the forest floor. The reason for their defiance and bright colors is poison. That’s right, toxic secretions from the skin of an eft can make even the bravest of predators lose their cookies! Red efts taste bad—and they know it. If you happen to find one, it is OK to pick it up gently just don’t eat it!

The fourth and final life stage in the red-spotted newt saga is the adult form. After 2-5 years frolicking in the forests as efts, the toxic warning colors of brilliant orange begin to fade into olive green on top and to yellow on bottom, although the red spots typically remain. Now less toxic, but seemingly more romantic, the adult newts have developed long flat tails, which will enable effortless maneuvering in water where they will spend the rest of their life in pursuit of salamander happiness.

To observe red-spotted newts, visit nearby ponds that are surrounded by forest. Stand very still on the pond edge and watch for movement in shallow areas. If you are patient, chances are good that you’ll catch a glimpse of these aquatic wonders.

Brian Gasdorf is a biologist with Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives