300 PRACTICAL ZOOLOGY 



The hellbender and mud puppy (Fig. 177) occur in streams in 

 the eastern United States. 



The crimson-spotted newt (Fig. 178) is common in the ponds of 

 the northern and eastern portions of the United States. It is 

 about three and one half inches long and has a row of crimson 

 spots on either side. Its food consists principally of insect 

 larvae, worms, and small mollusks. The eggs are laid in April, 



FIG. 178. Crimson-spotted newt. (Photograph of living animal furnished 

 by American Museum of Natural History.) 



May, or June, and a sort of " nest " of aquatic vegetation is 

 constructed for each egg. The young live for a time on land 

 under stones and logs, but return to the water after several 

 years, becoming aquatic adults. In western North America 

 occurs another species of newt. 



The tiger salamander (Fig. 179) is an inhabitant of fresh water 

 all over this country. It is dark-colored, marked with yellow 

 spots, and reaches a length of from six to nine inches. If 

 forced to breathe air, the tiger salamander loses its gills, but if 

 water is always at hand, the gills persist throughout life as func- 



