Newt
During the subsequent few months, the larvae undergo metamorphosis, during which they develop legs, and the gills are absorbed and replaced by air-breathing lungs. Some species, such as the North American newts, also become more brightly coloured during this phase. Once fully metamorphosised, they leave the water and live a terrestrial life, when they are known as "efts". Only when the eft reaches adulthood will the North American species return to live in water, rarely venturing back onto the land. Conversely, most European species live their adult lives on land and only visit water to breed.
Red-bellied newt
Red-bellied newts lay their eggs in fast-flowing streams or rocky rivers. Newts begin their lives as aquatic larvae similar to tadpoles, though elongated and with external gills. Once they have matured into the adult form, which takes about four months, and usually happens in August, they leave the water until the fifth year of their lives. Then, as early as January or February, the males start congregating at stream banks. One to three weeks later, the females join them and the newts mate. The females lay their eggs in about 12 streamlined clusters with six to 16 eggs each. They usually lay them on the bottoms of rocks, or on branches leaning into the stream. When the adults leave the stream, instead of moving directly uphill, they move at an angle that leads them somewhat upstream. The females, unlike the males, do not breed every year. Red-bellied newts can live for up to 15 years.