Red Eft at DVinfo.net

Mike Sims · March 18th, 2009, 01:44 PM

Here’s one of those “missed it by that much” shots. The diopter on the EVF got bumped on the hike in and I didn’t detect it until after I encountered this chap. As you can see, the plane of critical focus is inside where I intended (and it’s always so narrow with macro). I thought the subject interesting enough to show it anyway.
http://www.hotspot-online.net/Video/Red_Eft_6.mp4

Red-spotted newts (Notopthalmus viridescens) have an interesting life style. The eggs and larvae are aquatic. After several weeks or months they metamorphose into a terrestrial juvenile called a Red Eft. At this stage they may disperse up to 20 miles. After 2-3 years they metamorphose again. They retain the red spots, but the background orange color becomes dull olive green, the toes become webbed, and the tail becomes dorso-ventrally flattened into a paddle. The adults are aquatic and may live up to 20 years. Notice how the eft walks with it’s elbows and knees up like a crocodilian. The color is aposomatic- a warning to predators that the skin secretions are poisonous. As a result, they are bold aggressive little predators in the leaf litter. Overall length 4.5 cm.

Brendan Marnell · March 19th, 2009, 05:31 PM

Wish I could describe Smooth Newts life cycle as you did for Red Eft, Mike, but here's a brief clouded clip instead...

Smooth Newt on Vimeo

Mike Sims · March 20th, 2009, 07:54 AM

Very cool Brendan. They’re in the same family- Salamandridae. I wish I had something like that in my garden pond! Smooth Newts (also known as Common Newt) have an interesting mating display which is often illustrated in books on animal behavior.

Mat Thompson · March 22nd, 2009, 08:19 AM

It is interesting enough indeed! What a fab little chap and the footage looked Ok despite what you descibe. Thanks for posting Mike

Dale Guthormsen · March 22nd, 2009, 08:39 AM

Mike,

Very nice!! a new species for me to see.
we have tiger salamanders here in our garden pond. this is so beautiful in comparison!!

Mike Sims · April 28th, 2009, 11:58 AM

While re-reading this I realize that I made a missleading statement. I should have said that the adults are semi-aquatic. While they do spend most of their time in the water and can respire entirely through their skin, they can and do breath air and occasionaly haul out on land. I hope to post some video of the adults soon.

March 18th, 2009, 01:44 PM	#1
Mike Sims Major Player Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 880	Red Eft Here’s one of those “missed it by that much” shots. The diopter on the EVF got bumped on the hike in and I didn’t detect it until after I encountered this chap. As you can see, the plane of critical focus is inside where I intended (and it’s always so narrow with macro). I thought the subject interesting enough to show it anyway. http://www.hotspot-online.net/Video/Red_Eft_6.mp4 Red-spotted newts (Notopthalmus viridescens) have an interesting life style. The eggs and larvae are aquatic. After several weeks or months they metamorphose into a terrestrial juvenile called a Red Eft. At this stage they may disperse up to 20 miles. After 2-3 years they metamorphose again. They retain the red spots, but the background orange color becomes dull olive green, the toes become webbed, and the tail becomes dorso-ventrally flattened into a paddle. The adults are aquatic and may live up to 20 years. Notice how the eft walks with it’s elbows and knees up like a crocodilian. The color is aposomatic- a warning to predators that the skin secretions are poisonous. As a result, they are bold aggressive little predators in the leaf litter. Overall length 4.5 cm.

March 22nd, 2009, 08:39 AM	#5
Dale Guthormsen Inner Circle Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Saskatchewan Posts: 3,048	Mike, Very nice!! a new species for me to see. we have tiger salamanders here in our garden pond. this is so beautiful in comparison!! __________________ DATS ALL FOLKS Dale W. Guthormsen

March 19th, 2009, 05:31 PM	#2
Brendan Marnell Major Player Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Dublin, Ireland Posts: 938	Wish I could describe Smooth Newts life cycle as you did for Red Eft, Mike, but here's a brief clouded clip instead... Smooth Newt on Vimeo

March 20th, 2009, 07:54 AM	#3
Mike Sims Major Player Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 880	Very cool Brendan. They’re in the same family- Salamandridae. I wish I had something like that in my garden pond! Smooth Newts (also known as Common Newt) have an interesting mating display which is often illustrated in books on animal behavior.

March 22nd, 2009, 08:19 AM	#4
Mat Thompson Trustee Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kent UK Posts: 1,397	It is interesting enough indeed! What a fab little chap and the footage looked Ok despite what you descibe. Thanks for posting Mike

April 28th, 2009, 11:58 AM	#6
Mike Sims Major Player Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 880	While re-reading this I realize that I made a missleading statement. I should have said that the adults are semi-aquatic. While they do spend most of their time in the water and can respire entirely through their skin, they can and do breath air and occasionaly haul out on land. I hope to post some video of the adults soon.