Wangan
Well-Known Member
I helped this little guy out of the road tonight so he wouldnt get run over by a car.They lay 300-400 eggs at a time but only 2% ever make it to the "red eft" stage of life.At first I thought it was a Red Salamander but they only live as far north as New York.This is an Eastern Red Spotted Newt which I have never seen before,even though they are very common and live as far north as Ontario Canada.Some never go into the "red eft" stage and continue on to evolve into an Olive Drab Green adult.I thought better about leaving it on my neighbors lawn,even tho it never gets mowed and decided to put it by the pond out back.They could stay in this stage from 1 to 5 years before they evolve again while living on land.they must be hardy because they are known to swim under the ice in the winter.They grow to about 3 or 4 inches,this one was 3".I just thought it was pretty colorful and unusual,(to me anyway,they are common pets),and thought I would show everyone an animal known to only live where there is clean water.I can drink from my river across the road.It eats lots of bugs so he is a friend of mine for sure.My wife told me to wash my hands because they secrete poison through their skin for protection from predators.You know,I think she likes me after all.[]