This is an eastern newt, otherwise known as a red spotted newt. When young, like this one, it is a bright orange color and called a red eft. For most of its 12 to 15 year long life, it lives in the water, but when in the red eft stage it exists on land. I found this one last spring in New Jersey on a trail while hiking in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
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This is an eastern newt, otherwise known as a red spotted newt. When young, like this one, it is a bright orange color and called a red eft. For most of its 12 to 15 year long life, it lives in the water, but when in the red eft stage it exists on land. I found this one last spring in New Jersey on a trail while hiking in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.
I love the contrast between the bright, blurred greenery and the newt’s textured body. Those designs on his back look hand-painted.