vision quest

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Salamanders are rather straightforward. They’re amphibians, living “two” lives. Born in water much like frogs, they breathe through gills, and as they age develop lungs, living their sodden adult lives in or near water or other damp environ.

And then there are the newts, types of salamanders that have an extra, third developmental stage. Called an eft, the juveniles change colors and live terrestrially. The young larvae are brown-green in color, as are the adults. But the juvenile red efts are orangish with darker red spots outlined in black. But you know how teenagers are, so eager to stand out and be independent.

Perhaps their terrestrial stage is similar to a Vision Quest, were they go to the desert to seek enlightenment—a forty-days, forty-nights sort of thing—realizing in the end, that the damp life is the best life.

As Dorothy learned, “There’s no place like home.” It’s a thought.


- Photo of Eastern newt, a.k.a. red-spotted newt, was taken at Ijams Nature Center. Thanks, Jennifer!

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