The eastern newt or 'red eft' (Notophthalmus viridescens) can live up to 15 years in the wild! It is common in eastern North America inhabiting small lakes, ponds, streams and nearby wet forests. These land-dwelling efts move slowly on land but are active on rainy nights.​ Video of a Red eft slowly climbing on moss in Canaan Valley, recorded by USFWS. ​ Download our free public domain footage collection at: http://ow.ly/ytE850FcukD | National Conservation Training Center

While hiking during a visit to West Virginia we came upon this cute red eft, which is a juvenile stage of the red-spotted newt (a type of Eastern newt). These little newts are quite remarkable. They have a lifespan of 12 to 15 years in the wild, give off a toxin that makes them unappealing to predators and go through three totally different life stages: They're born in and live for several months in the water during their larval stage, when they're olive or yellow-brown and have gills and a flat