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Mudpuppy

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
Mudpuppy - By: Rex Everett Mudpuppy - By: Jeff Hankey Mudpuppy - By: Jeff Hankey
Mudpuppy - By: Jeff Hankey Mudpuppy - By: Jeff Hankey Mudpuppy - By: Jeff Hankey

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
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