The Life Cycle of the Orange Newt Notophthalmus viridescens

Susan Roberts

I wanted to share a wonderful salamandar found near my home called a red eft. This facinating creature's life cycle has always inspired me to learn and discover more about this tiny creature. As I was hiking near my home I came across this ditch full of fresh water. The sun was hitting it just right to highlight the colors found within an egg mass of Notophthalmus viridescens. This is one of my all time favorite pictures!

This is a picture that I took of Notophthalmus viridescens eggs. Look closely at the tiny developing larvae inside-they have external gills at this stage! I love the colors too-Spectacular! It reminds me of Saturn's rings- out of this world!!

stage #1

Aquatic Larvae

Ponds, Lakes, and Ditches

2-3 months

stage #2

Juvenile Eft

Dry Land

2-3 years

stage #3

Sexually Mature Adult

Water

Rest of Life Living Up to 10-15 years

Aquatic Larvae have laterally compressed tails and have gills
Juvenile Efts are reddish/orange in color with black spots and have lungs
Sexually Mature Adults are yellow-brownish in color and thier tail becomes broadly keeled and they have external gills

You can email me by clicking here.

References

http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Notophthalmus_viridescens.html"

stage #1	Aquatic Larvae	Ponds, Lakes, and Ditches	2-3 months
stage #2	Juvenile Eft	Dry Land	2-3 years
stage #3	Sexually Mature Adult	Water	Rest of Life Living Up to 10-15 years