Central Newt
Notophthalmus louisianensis

Size: 2 - 4 inches
Distribution
Disjunct distribution in the eastern portion of the state.  The central newt, commonly called the red-spotted newt, is unique among other Oklahoma salamanders in that it is the only salamander to have a three-stage life cycle.  The young are born in water, like most salamanders, but as part of their development, they have a terrestrial eft stage where they lose their gills, their skin becomes relatively dry and warty, and they venture far from the water.  As they reach reproductive maturity, they return to the water to breed and remain aquatic for the rest of their life.