Red-Spotted Newt Gender differences

[RedEft92]

Hi. Just a small question. Are there any other differences between male and female N. v. v outside of the breeding season other than the males thicker hind legs as shown in the sexing caudates article? I've heard rumors that males have darker dorsum coloration and larger red spots than females. Is this true? I also have a picture of a transforming (not adult) eft in a field guide of Reptiles and Amphibians of Ontario. It depicts a terrestrial eft with adult coloration. Do transforming efts have a gender, or are they not sexually mature until they complete the metamorphosis? I know red efts don't have sexes, but what about when they turn dark green? They don't enter water immediately.

 

[Otterwoman]

I think that outside of breeding season it's not easy to tell the sexes. I think they would be guesses at best.I don't think there's truth to the darker dorsum, and definitely not to the larger spots idea.
Sometimes adults do leave the water, and if water conditions become poor, they can leave their pond and find another. When adults leave the water, the quality of their skin changes (becomes tougher again) but doesn't change back to red. But they can leave the water for other reasons, so maybe the field guide just caught a picture of one that happened to be out of the water, or took it out of the water to snap the picture?

I think also that efts have a gender, it's not like they don't develop a gender until they're mature, but they're just not mature, so it's not really possible to tell their gender.
When red efts become adults, they seek the water, and then they begin mating. They start turning and seeking the water around the same time. I don't think there's a clear-cut change in color and land/water dwelling, it's gradual. I've seen bright red efts making for the water, and more dully red to green colored ones. However, I've never seen bright red ones in the water. Then once in the water, they will get duller and greener over time, maybe a few days, or weeks.

The first paragraph I wrote is based on what I've read (about why they leave the water), and the second is based on my observations.

 

[RedEft92]

I agree with you on most points but I have to say that based on what I've learned, after the red efts live on land for 1 to 7 years (1-3 years in New York state) they don't immediately enter water. They change color to a very dark green or brown and live on land for another month or so. The 'transforming eft' in the picture still has rough skin like a red eft, so I'd have to say it's not a full adult. However, I have also seen pictures of what look to be red efts with tail fins in water, so I guess different individuals enter water at different times.