Common Mudpuppy
Necturus maculosus
Conservation Status:
Description
Common mudpuppies are the largest salamander species in Connecticut, growing eight to thirteen inches long. They may be gray, olive, or rusty brown in color with a gray belly. Individuals who live in clearer water generally have a darker coloring. They have black mottling across the back, with some spots fusing to create long stripes down their body. Mudpuppies have a black stripe from the nose to their gills. There are three external gills behind each eye, appearing red in color and looking similar to feathers. The size of these gills depends on the amount of oxygen present in the water.
Habitat
This species of salamander is aquatic and only found in rivers. In our state, they are limited to the Connecticut and Housatonic rivers.
Behavior
Mudpuppies are completely aquatic, being the only salamander species in Connecticut that goes through paedomorphosis rather than metamorphosis. This means that larval traits are retained throughout adulthood, in this case being external gills. They
are nocturnal, only coming out in the day if the water is murky. This species eats anything that fits in their mouth, including fish, insects, mollusks, and worms. Its predators are crayfish, turtles, and watersnakes. They may also be caught by fishermen by accident. When threatened they will secrete toxins. They breed in the fall, but do not lay eggs until the spring. Up to 100 eggs are laid in a clutch, and the female will stay with the eggs until they hatch. Larvae will not mature until six years old, and these salamanders may live for up to eleven years.
Range
Present
