Eft form of Eastern newt

Eft form of Eastern newt (Notophthalmus viridescens.) This is the terrestrial form of the eastern newt which is fairly common where I live. Their life cycle is a bit unusual: eggs are laid in ponds and, once they hatch, the larval form is fully aquatic. The larva stays in the nursery pond for an unknown period of time and eventually leaves the water as the beautiful orange “eft” which we sometimes find in damp woodland areas. Essentially, he is looking for a new pond in this “dispersal stage” of his life. Once he finds a pond he will transform into the fully aquatic, air breathing adult.

EftEastern newtNotophthalmus viridescensmacro photographymacro shotwildlife photography