Red Eft

This morning, this little fella was crossing the dirt road we regularly walk down. My fingers for scale. After taking his photo I moved him off the road. He had survived the passage of one pick-up truck and I didn't want to risk another coming by and nailing him.

The red eft is the juvenile, land dwelling stage of the eastern newt. He started in a pond as a tadpole, and when he grows up, he'll take to the water again and might live as much as 12 to 15 years!