Maryland's Salamanders and Newts  (Order Caudata)


Eastern Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens)


Photo 1: Adult photo of Red-spotted Newt courtesy of Paul Kazyak 
Adult Photo of Eastern Newt courtesy of Paul Kazyak

Eft Photo of Red-spotted Newt courtesy of Kerry Wixted
Eft Photo of Eastern Newt courtesy of Kerry Wixted


Size:
2¼ - 4¾ in; Record - 5½ in.

Appearance:
  • A row of red spots, each encircled with a thin black line, runs down either side of the back in both the aquatic adults and terrestrial juvenile “red efts”. 
  • Aquatic adults have olive-green or yellowish-brown backs and creamy yellow bellies with black spots, and have a long, vertically flattened rudder-like tail. 
  • Red efts are orange-red above and below.

Habitat:

Photo 6: Habitat photo of Red-spotted Newt courtesy of Rebecca Chalmers
Habitat Photo for Eastern Newt
courtesy of Rebecca Chalmers

  • Aquatic adults are found in vernal pools, ponds, small lakes, marshes and the quiet portions of streams. 
  • Forested habitats must be adjacent or nearby, as the red eft juvenile stage is found in moist deciduous forests.

Distribution in Maryland:
Maryland Distribuition Map for Red-spotted Newt