Scientific Name: Necturus maculosus
Size: 8-13 inches (20-33 cm) in length
PA Status: Species of special concern
PAHERP Resource: Monsters in the Water

Habitat Type:
Clear open lakes with sandy bottoms, ponds, and fast-flowing streams and creeks.

Colorations:

• The dorsal background color is greyish brown, reddish brown to black and becomes lighter on the sides of the body down to the lateral margins of the ventral.The dorsal has a series of irregular blotches. Small blotches may extend onto the posterior dorsal on the head.
• The ventral is beige or cream to pinkish grey and sometimes may be covered with small bluish black blotches.
• The head has a dark stripe that extends from the nares though the eyes and ends at the gills.

Characteristics:

• Large and stout species; permanently aquatic.
• The body is stout and somewhat dorsolaterally compressed.
• The head is flat and broadest just behind the eyes and tapers to a truncated snout.
• The eyes are small, dark and lidless.
• There are three pairs of bushy external gills that are present at the junction of the neck and head.
• The legs are small and not well-developed.
• The feet have four toes.
• The tail is short and strongly compressed laterally with a distinct caudal fin.

Larvae coloration and characteristics:

• The dorsal is dark with lateral stripes that are separated by pale yellowish cream to light greenish stripes.
• The tail is long.
• The ventral is immaculated cream or beige.

Hatchling coloration and characteristics:

• The dorsal had a dark band that extends down the midline of the back that is bordered by a light yellow stripe. A dark broad band occurs below the yellow stripes.
• The yolk sac is present.

Confused with:

• Hellbender

Coloration/Pattern Photos:
Adults

Range Map:

References:

• Hulse, C. and McCoy C. J. and Ellen Censky ,1998. Amphibians and Reptiles of Pennsylvania and the Northeast. 44-48pp.
• Petranka, James W. ,1998. Salamanders of the United States and Canada. 425-429pp.

Photo Credits:

• Jeff Hankey
• Rex Everett