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Project Noah Nature School
Notophthalmus viridescens
Red efts have bright orange aposematic coloring, with darker, reddish spots outlined in black. This stage can last up to 4 years on land, during which time efts may travel far, which ensures outcrossing in the population. Efts eat small insects, snails, and other small arthropods. During winter, they hibernate under logs or rocks.
I have spotted countless red efts this summer at this location. This one was on a rotting log in a mixed forest.
Eastern newts produce tetrodotoxin, which makes the species unpalatable to potential predators.
Wow, thanks very much Danièle for SOTD! Also, thanks António for your comment!
Congratulations Christine, your Eastern Newt is our Spotting of the Day:
"Known as Red Eft in its bright orange, land-dwelling juvenile stage, this Eastern Newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) is our Spotting of the Day! The red color of this stage is an example of aposematism or "warning coloration", a warning to potential predators of the toxicity of the prey. The Eastern newt indeed secretes tetrodotoxin, a potent neurotoxin that induces paralysis and death by asphyxiation. Amphibian are most notable among taxa for their chemical defenses, and can secrete a whole array of noxious compounds of different chemical nature (alkaloids, amines, peptides, steroids) with a variety of physiological effects on their potential predators".
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I adore them as well! They are such curious, graceful, and ecologically sensitive indicator species!
You are allways welcome,i love newts and salamanders,i have spotted several species in my backyard and they are just to cool :-)
Thanks Lisa and Inês. I love these little guys and find that most of them are super curious and friendly - as long as I don't try to touch them ;P. They seem to like to watch me while I inspect their rotting logs...
Spotted on Oct 14, 2017
Submitted on Dec 28, 2017
