Eastern Newt
Notophthalmus viridescens
This small salamander is found throughout Florida. In the state’s peninsula, it is entirely aquatic - inhabiting thick vegetation near the shore of lakes and ponds. In the panhandle of Florida, it also has a terrestrial (found on land) phase that may sometimes be found under logs. The land-phase has rough skin like a toad and is brown or reddish-brown. Small red spots may be visible on its back.
Aquatic eastern newts have a brown back and a cream-colored belly. Both phases usually have many small dark spots on their belly, back, and sides. The aquatic phase newts have a faint dark mask on the side of their head, and their chin and throat are cream colored - like their belly.
Learn More
- Wikipedia - Eastern Newt