Mudpuppy
Latin Name
Necturus maculosus
Class
Amphibians
Order
Caudata
Description
Necturus maculosus
Class
Amphibians
Order
Caudata
Description
Also known as waterdogs, mudpuppies are aquatic salamanders that grow to about one foot in length. They resemble muddy rocks, which suits them in their habitat. Unlike most salamanders which lose their gills as they mature, mudpuppies retain their gills throughout their lives. A large mouth is complemented by a fanned collar around the neck and stubby legs.
Range
Status
Habitat
Niche
Life History
Special Adaptations
Mudpuppies can be found from southern Canada throughout the Midwest and southern United States.
Status
Unknown
Habitat
Mudpuppies seek out small lakes and streams with slow-moving water and rocky beds, where they hide.
Niche
The mudpuppy diet consists of small fish and invertebrates like crayfish, snails and worms. Fish, snakes and birds will prey on mudpuppies.
Life History
Reaching sexual maturity at five years, mudpuppies can live more than two decades. After mating, females attach eggs to submerged stones or logs. Females will tend to these clusters as they develop.
Special Adaptations
While mudpuppies have lungs, they are rarely used for respiration, as these creatures spend almost their entire lives underwater.
Bright red gills straddle the mudpuppy’s body, employed to extract oxygen from cool water. Mudpuppies can also absorb oxygen through their skin and will occasionally rise to the surface to breath air.
ARKive Media
 |  |  |
ARKive is creating the ultimate multimedia guide to the world's endangered species.
Visit ARKive for thousands more films, photos and fact-files!
