Eastern newt

Language English

Onglets

Description

Distinguishing features

In Quebec, Eastern newts are the only species in the Salamandridae family (salamanders and newts) to spend their entire adult lives in water. They have greenish backs marked with a few black-bordered red spots. Small black spots speckle their yellowish bellies. Their eyes have a black band across them. Unlike salamanders, Eastern newts do not have folds on their legs (costal grooves). The male's tail is swollen during the mating period. Juveniles vary in colour from red to orangeish and their backs are marked with small black-bordered red spots.

Reproduction

In Quebec, Eastern newts breed in spring and early summer. Mating occurs under water, with the male dropping several sperm packets that the female inserts in her cloaca. When she lays the eggs, she attaches them to aquatic vegetation. The aquatic larvae that emerge from the eggs develop into juveniles, called efts, before the end of the summer. The efts are terrestrial and live in the woods for one to three years. When they reach adulthood they return to an aquatic habitat, where they spend the rest of their lives.

Diet

Eastern newts eat insects, worms, crustaceans, molluscs, frog and salamander eggs and sometimes small fish. Mosquito larvae are their preferred food. The young (efts) eat mainly spiders and insect larvae.

Predators

The skin of Eastern newts produces highly toxic secretions, protecting them from most predators. The coloured spots on their backs also warn off potential attackers. Even large turtles avoid eating them to avoid being poisoned. The juvenile phase (efts) is said to be ten times more toxic than the adult phase.

Habitat

Eastern newts are found in lakes, ponds and some slow-moving streams with abundant aquatic vegetation and prey. Adults live mainly in shallow water, while terrestrial juveniles are found mostly in woodland habitats. In winter, adults remain busy under the ice, while juveniles hibernate in forest soil.

Ecology, behaviour

This species is active both in the daytime and at night. Of all Quebec newts and salamanders, Eastern newts are the only species in which the adults are mainly aquatic.

French name

Triton vert

Scientific name

Notophthalmus viridescens

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Amphibia (Batracia)

Order

Urodela

Family

Salamandridae

Size

Length: 6.3 to 14 cm

Life span

2 to 13 years

Status

Least Concern (IUCN)

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