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Eastern Newt

Notophthalmus viridescens · also called Red-spotted newt, Red eft

IntermediateFamily Salamandridae

The native newt with a famous land-going "red eft" teenage phase.

🖼️ Free Eastern Newt wallpapers — phone & desktop →

An eastern newt losing a limb to a heron and shrugging that it's 'growing it back.' The point: newts and other salamanders can regenerate lost limbs, but that is not a reason to risk injury.
Eastern newts really can regrow a lost limb — a remarkable ability, but not an excuse for rough handling or unsafe tankmates. Prevention still beats regeneration.

✅ We have a full, fact-checked care sheet for the Eastern Newt.

Open the Eastern Newt care sheet →

📋 At a glance

Tank
Aquatic adult (10 gal+) with land · terrestrial as an eft
Temp
Cool 60–72°F
Water
Dechlorinated, gentle flow, planted, with a dock
Food
Bloodworms, chopped worms, newt pellets
Lifespan
12–15+ years

✅ Fascinating to keep through its colour-changing life stages — and very long-lived.

🛒 Before you buy

  • To know its life stage — terrestrial 'red eft' vs aquatic adult — and set up accordingly
  • A cool, dechlorinated aquatic tank with a land area + a secure lid
  • Live plants for cover
  • Captive-bred where possible (never take protected wild populations)

A healthy one: Efts: bright orange, plump, active on land · adults: olive with red spots, using the water.

🚨 See a vet / act now if…

  • Floating or bloating
  • Not eating, or weight loss
  • Skin fungus or lesions
  • Adults staying out of the water persistently

⛔ Never

  • Warm water
  • Handling then touching your face (potent toxin — wash hands)
  • Housing with fish or other species

Common eastern newt questions

How hard are Eastern Newts to keep — are they good for beginners?

Intermediate. Two lives in one — a land 'red eft' phase, then an aquatic adult. Cool throughout.

What do Eastern Newts eat?

Bloodworms, chopped worms, newt pellets

What size tank do Eastern Newts need?

Aquatic adult (10 gal+) with land · terrestrial as an eft

What temperature do Eastern Newts need?

Cool 60–72°F

What water setup do Eastern Newts need?

Dechlorinated, gentle flow, planted, with a dock

How long do Eastern Newts live?

12–15+ years

What are the signs Eastern Newts are sick?

See an exotics vet if you notice: Floating or bloating; Not eating, or weight loss; Skin fungus or lesions; Adults staying out of the water persistently.

Free tools for the eastern newt

Calm, honest help — each one knows when to say "see a vet."

Symptom checkerTriage a worrying sign and know when to see a vet.Water-or-land plannerAquatic or terrestrial? Right for its life stage.Feeder cultureCulture your own feeder insects, cheaply.Male or female?The honest way to sex this one — and when you can tell.Common questionsReal questions keepers ask — answered straight.

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