[5][6] Newts begin their lives as aquatic larvae similar to tadpoles, though elongated and with external gills.

Once newt larvae mature into their adult form, which takes about four to six months, they will leave the water and live underground[7] until they are ready to breed, which is typically in four to six years.

[9] After reaching reproductive maturity, male red-bellied newts start congregating at stream banks as early as January or February.

When that fails, and they are seen and disturbed, they pull their heads and tails back to reveal their bright-red undersides.

[17] Because red-bellied newts are so poisonous, they are nearly inedible and have no reported predators other than a few species of snake which are resistant to the toxin.