Amphibian · GBIF taxon 2432048
Common Mudpuppy
Necturus maculosusAlso known as Waterdog
Mudpuppies are fully aquatic, paedomorphic salamanders that retain feathery external red gills and a broad, flattened tail throughout life. They prowl murky riverbeds and lake bottoms under cover of darkness, remaining active through the dead of winter even beneath thick surface ice. Females demonstrate attentive maternal care by fastening clusters of gelatinous eggs to the undersides of submerged stones and guarding them until hatching.
AquaticNocturnalAmphibian
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Crayfish
- Aquatic Insects
- Freshwater Snails
Predators
- Northern Pike
- Great Blue Heron
- Northern Watersnake
ThreatsSiltation, chemical water pollution, lampricide runoff, and dam construction
HabitatsLakes, rivers, large streams, and canals with rocky or muddy substrates
Life span11–20 years
Classification
- OrderCaudata
- FamilyProteidae
- GenusNecturus
- SpeciesNecturus maculosus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Completely harmless to humans; safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
- Observation: Look under flat slabs of rock or submerged timber in clear, well-oxygenated streams.
- Angler Release: If caught accidentally on a hook, gently cut the line close to the mouth rather than tearing tissue.
- Handling: Avoid touching bare skin, as human oils and dry air readily damage their protective mucus layer.
Symbiont Say, 1825 / CC0 · cc0
Neighbor (c) Brian Muckin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Matthew Lumsden, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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