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The common mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) is a species of salamander in the family Proteidae. It lives an entirely aquatic lifestyle in parts of North America in lakes, rivers, and ponds. It goes through paedomorphosis and retains it external gills.
Jun 6, 2018 · The common mudpuppy is a large salamander found in North America. Unlike many amphibians, it never loses its gills, and upon reaching adulthood does not leave the water. Let’s find out more about the ‘waterdog’ … Common Mudpuppy Facts At A Glance. Other Name (s): Waterdog. Scientific name: Necturus maculosus. Type of Animal: Amphibian.
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Dec 28, 2015 · Mudpuppies are Michigan’s largest, fully aquatic salamander. Often referred to as ‘bio-indicators’ because they are sensitive to pollutants and water quality, these salamanders act as an early warning system for environmental problems but are often misunderstood.
Mudpuppies, also called waterdogs, are one of only a few salamanders that make noise. They get their name from the somewhat embellished notion that their squeaky vocalizations sound like a dog's...
- Aquatic Enchantment. Mudpuppies are true aquatic beings, spending their entire lives in freshwater ecosystems. They prefer slow-moving bodies of water, such as lakes, ponds, rivers, and streams, where they can find shelter among rocks, logs, and aquatic vegetation.
- Nature’s Aqua-Wonders. One of the most distinguishing features of Mudpuppies is their striking external gills. These bushy, red, or pink fronds on the sides of their heads serve a vital purpose: enabling them to respire underwater.
- Vibrant Watercolor Patterns. Mudpuppies possess a mesmerizing coloration that varies among individuals. Their base color ranges from dark brown to grayish-black, adorned with stunning spots and speckles of vibrant hues, including yellow, orange, and red.
- Mudpuppies Are Nighttime Predators. As skilled nocturnal predators, Mudpuppies become active under the cover of darkness. With excellent night vision, they actively forage for food, preying on a wide array of aquatic organisms, including insects, small fish, crayfish, mollusks, and amphibian larvae.
Jun 26, 2020 · This description is of the common mudpuppy, and true to its name, it is an adorable lake-loving creature found here in the Midwest. It’s not a dog, it can’t bark and it doesn’t enjoy a good tummy rub, but this rare and majestic salamander is wonderfully unique and captivatingly cute.
The venter is white to gray and sometimes spotted. Extending through the eyes and to the gills is a dark bar. Its snout is heavily truncated. Juveniles begin to look like adults at 13-15 cm. Hatchlings have prominent yolk sacs with a dark dorsal band with a light yellow stripe.
