Identification: not as slippery as most other salamanders; rougher skin, not slimy; costal grooves are not distinct; tails of efts are round while tails of adults are vertically compressed

Habitat: mostly aquatic; Eastern newts have a land stage (efts)

Food: insects, worms, leeches, young amphibians and frogs' eggs

Range: Eastern North America

Newts have skin-gland secretions which are toxic or irritate mucous membranes.