Walking home from our bus stop today, my sister and I passed four rough-bellied newts. They are about six inches long, with a brown back and a fiery orange underside. I like newts. However, three out of the four were flat on the road. The other was soon to be the same, had we not moved it.

These prettily colored newts feed on insects and live in wet areas and, in the spring time, come out to meet and greet. The road is warm, and flat — an ideal place for their needs.  

Rough-bellied newts may not be an endangered species yet, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t take care to look out. I think we should limit our driving, save hundreds of newts and, as an extra benefit, keep the money that would otherwise be used on fuel.

I’ve seen many flat newts on the road lately, and it makes me feel sad. They’re really cute. I think something could change, and for that, I am counting on you.

— Adriana Yarkin