Eastern newt (Notophthalmus viridescens)
Amphibians · Difficulty: Beginner
Key facts and care guidance for Eastern newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) (origin: Eastern North America). Adult size around 7–12 cm. Life expectancy 10–15 years. The values below are carefully researched guidance.
Short answers
Eastern newt: How big does the enclosure need to be?
60×30×30 cm, two thirds water.
Eastern newt: What temperature does it need?
Daytime 15–22 °C, basking spot No basking spot, at night 10–16 °C.
Eastern newt: Does it need UVB lighting?
UVB: Not required.
Eastern newt: How long do they live?
Life expectancy: 10–15 years.
Eastern newt: Is it suitable for beginners?
Yes – it is considered suitable for beginners (difficulty: Beginner).
Climate
- Daytime temperature
- 15–22 °C
- Night temperature
- 10–16 °C
- Basking spot
- No basking spot
- Humidity
- Aqua-terrarium
- UVB
- Not required
Enclosure
- Minimum size
- 60×30×30 cm, two thirds water
- Substrate
- A water section 15–25 cm deep with plants, a small land section
Feeding
- Food
- Frozen food, freshwater shrimp, small earthworms
- Feeding interval
- 3×/week
Key facts
- Adult size
- 7–12 cm
- Life expectancy
- 10–15 years
- Origin
- Eastern North America
- Protection status
- Not listed under CITES
- Brumation
- A cooler spell of 8–12 weeks
- Cohabitation
- A group. Only put together animals of the same species and roughly the same size — smaller ones will otherwise be treated as food. Offer enough hiding places so that every animal can retreat, and feed them separately when they differ in size.
Notes
It passes through a brilliant orange-red land stage (the "red eft") before the animals return to the water as green adults. So the young need a land terrarium and the adults an aquaterrarium.
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Related species
- Italian crested newt (Triturus carnifex) – Intermediate
- Alpine salamander (Salamandra atra) – Expert
- Anderson's crocodile newt (Echinotriton andersoni) – Expert
- Anderson's salamander (Ambystoma andersoni) – Intermediate
- Axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) – Beginner to intermediate
- Alpine newt (Ichthyosaura alpestris) – Beginner
- Blue-tailed fire-bellied newt (Cynops cyanurus) – Beginner
- Chinese fire-bellied newt (Cynops orientalis) – Beginner
What you need to start
To keep Eastern newt (Notophthalmus viridescens) you typically need: a suitable enclosure (60×30×30 cm, two thirds water), substrate (A water section 15–25 cm deep with plants, a small land section), a heat source with a thermostat, thermometer and hygrometer, a water dish and hides. You will find equipment in the Reptoria marketplace.
The complete, interactive care database is in the Reptoria app.
Last updated: 9 October 2026 · Editor: Reptoria editorial team · Sources include: https://amphibiaweb.org/species/4265, https://caudata.org/cc/species/Notophthalmus/N_viridescens.shtml, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_newt
All values are non-binding guidance and do not replace expert advice. Research thoroughly from several sources before acquiring and keeping an animal, and observe the applicable law (species and animal protection in particular).