Photo by DLK
Eastern Newt
Notophthalmus viridescens
Description: Notophthalmus viridescens has a distinct terrestrial larval form and an aquatic adult form. Neither form typically has external gills. The terrestrial stage is commonly called an eft and is bright red or orange, with dorsal red or black spots. Total lengths of efts range from 3.5 to 8.6 cm. Skin of eft is very spinose. Adults are aquatic and attain total lengths of 5.7 to 12.2 cm. Adult dorsal coloration ranges from yellowish green to brown, with either numerous red spots bordered by black or with only small black spots.
Distribution and Habitat: The eastern newt occurs throughout the state. Adults inhabit ponds, pools along and within streams, oxbows, and flooded ditches. Efts are most often encountered under rocks and logs in upland forests.
Taxonomy: Two subspecies occur in Tennessee. Notophthalmus v. viridescens occurs in the eastern two-thirds of the state .
Reference:
Redmond WH and Scott AF. Atlas of Amphibians in Tennessee. The Center for Field Biology, Austin Peay State University; Clarksville, Tenn: 1996.