We all know the story of a frogs life as a Tadpole that lives in the water as a baby and then lives on land and water after it matures. But many people don't know the story of the Red Newts life which is a bit more complex and to me even more interesting.
Baby Newts live in the water and at that stage of their life they have gills. Once they start to grow and become older they leave the water and rome the earth usually staying in cool shady areas of the forest.
The juvenile Red Spotted Newt is actually known as an Eft and will live on land for usually 2 to 3 years but sometimes as long as 7 years.
Once they become an adult they will return to the water to live out the rest of their life. As an adult and back in the water they often can change color to more of an olive green body with a yellow belly. They will most often keep their spots at that point in their life also. The Red Spotted Newt can often live for 12 to 15 years of age.
I found and photographed this one inside the Big South Fork NRRA on a warm day back in December.
