Necturus maculosus
mudpuppy
(Also: waterdog)

Mudpuppies are found from southeast Manitoba to southern Quebec, south to south Missouri and northern Georgia. (Conant and Collins 1998)

Mudpuppies live in rivers, weedy ponds, some large lakes, and in lower regions of streams that do not dry up in the summer. The mudpuppy needs water that has an abundance of shelter. They reside under logs, rocks or weeds, during the day. They are rarely seen, but may be found under rocks in shallow water. (Cook 1984)

Mudpuppies are between 8 and 13 inches (20-33 cm) in length. They are neotenic (permanent larvae), and retain large, maroon colored external gills throughout their life. The mudpuppies that live in cold water that contains high oxygen concentrations have shorter gills than those living in oxygen depleted waters. They have a general coloration of gray or rusty brown, to nearly black. They are marked with black or blue-black spotting or blotching. The spotting pattern ranges from a few spots, to many spots, or spots merging to form stripes. The belly is whitish to grayish, and sometimes has bluish black spots. There are two generally recognized subspecies. The mudpuppy (N. m. maculosus) has a rusty brown to gray dorsum, with conspicuous spotting. The underside is gray, and may or may not be spotted. The Louisiana waterdog (N. m. louisianensis) has a light yellowish brown to tan dorsum. The dorsum is marked with large spots, and sometimes a dorsal stripe. The belly is light colored with no spots.

The head of all mudpuppies is flat, and the tail is short and laterally flattened for swimming. Four toes are present on each of four well-developed limbs. Males and females look very similar. However, the cloacea of the male has two prominent papillae directed backward. In the breeding season, males have swollen cloachae. The female's cloaca is slitlike and usually surrounded by light coloration. Young mudpuppies are black with longitudinal yellow stripes. (Conant and Collins 1998, Cook 1984, Petranka 1998)

Mudpuppies have been known to live upwards of 20 years. ()

The Mudpuppy is totally aquatic. It is usually nocturnal, although in murky or weedy water, it may be active during the day. Mudpuppies are solitary animals, coming together only to reproduce in the fall. Females will also guard their egg clutches in the spring, until they hatch. They are active throughout the year, and do not hibernate. Individuals do not appear to migrate on streams, although some seasonal movement may occur. Large fish and wading birds prey upon mudpuppies. Mudpuppies avoid predators by hiding under logs, rocks, or thick vegetation. (Conant and Collins 1998, University of Georgia 1999)

The mudpuppy eats a variety of aquatic organisms. It is an opportunistic feeder and will eat whatever it can catch. Crayfish are a major part of its diet. Insects, fish, worms, and snails are also foods of the mudpuppy. (Cook 1984, Monds 1995)

Mudpuppies have no impact on humans whatsoever.

Mudpuppies have little economic importance. They are sometimes used as subjects for scientific experimentation.

The Mudpuppy is locally common throughout its range. It has no special national conservation status. It is tolerant of a variety of aquatic habitats. However, habitat destruction from siltation and pollution, and habitat loss due to development is a threat to some populations. Necturus maculosus is listed as "endangered" in Iowa and is "special concern" in Maryland and North Carolina. (Monds 1995, Petranka 1998, Levell 1997)

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