Adults are olive green to yellow in coloration with two distict rows of red spots. The Eastern newt has four stages in it's lifecycle. The larval form has external bushy gills. After 1 to 3 years the efts become sexually mature adults that usually return to the water to live, but can remain terrestrial if there when aquatic habitats are scarce. Newts occur in a variety of aquatic environments and the adults are active all year long.
Breeding is in late fall, winter, and early spring.
Mating occurs in spring and fall. The name is deceiving because the stripe along its back may vary from reddish to gray or even black. Size ranges from 2.25 to 4 in in length. Habitats include northern mesic and boreal forest. Red-backs are active throughout the summer monthes at night.