June Kids Corner
from the Gale River Cooperative Preschool
https://joyce-road.blogspot.com/2017/09/red-spotted-newt.html
All about newts
On your forest adventures this June, keep an eye out for an orangey red critter in the leaves or under logs. This little guy is a red eft. You may also have seen little green newts with orange spots living in ponds. These are eastern newts. What you may not have known though, is that the red eft is the eastern newt! Many creatures go through metamorphosis and spend some of their life in water and some on land. The eastern newt is no exception, hatching from an egg into its larval stage and living in the bottom of muddy ponds. It breathes through feathery gills and hides from predators. After two to five months, it grows lungs and emerges onto land as a red eft. Only 2% of the larvae survive to the red eft stage. The red efts live a terrestrial life for two to three years then metamorphose again, into the adult stage of its life and return to the pond to mate. While many creatures begin life and water and end up on land, it’s quite exceptional that the eastern newt then goes back to the water to live the rest of his life.
The eastern newt is quite well defended. It secretes a poisonous substance from its skin when it feels threatened. Its skin also naturally has toxins which keep predators from trying to eat it. It’s most toxic in its red eft stage, its coloring a warning. The eastern newt is also the state amphibian of New Hampshire! You will likely have the best luck in spotting a red eft after it has rained. When the ground is moist, they can move around more freely. Amphibians breathe through their skin so it has to stay moist. If it’s a dryer day, try rolling logs (toward you) or checking under rocks or in leaf litter. Their color helps them pop!
Want tips on how to explore the eastern newt this June? Read below for ideas then head Outside!
Going hunting for red efts is a fun activity. If you decide to try to pick them up, make sure your hands are muddy or dirty. We have oils on our skin that can clog their skin, making it hard for them to breathe. Handle them gently and make sure to return them to where you found them, especially if it’s a dry day and they were hiding.
Drawing is a great way for children to nature journal. On your hunt for red efts (or other critters) bring some paper, a pencil and crayons along. Take some time to draw what you see and ask your child questions about what they notice. Their observations might surprise you.
Interested in eastern newt activities and crafts? We’ve got you covered! Read below for more details.
With all the spots on this newt’s back there’s a great opportunity to bring in some numeracy! Start by creating a large drawing of the newt with your child. Then, there are a lot of numeracy game options! Cut out some black dots and roll a die to add them a few at a time working on counting and one to one correspondence. Use a die with number symbols instead to match symbols to quantity. Group the dots and match number symbols to the groups or create addition or subtraction games on the newt’s back.
Make a newt habitat! Ask your child what they know about what the eastern newt needs to live. They need places to hide and a damp and cool environment. Can you make them a home? Gather some natural materials to create this habitat with your child letting them guide the design. If you find a red eft, you can place it inside for a short while to see what it thinks.
Thanks to our partner, the Gale River Cooperative Preschool in Bethlehem, for helping our area parents get kiddos outside for fun no matter the time of year.
