Gulf coast waterdog
A species of Waterdogs Scientific name : Necturus beyeri Genus : Waterdogs
Gulf coast waterdog, A species of Waterdogs
Scientific name: Necturus beyeri
Genus: Waterdogs
Content
Description General Info
Photo By ashleytwahlberg , used under CC-BY-NC-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original 
Description
The Gulf Coast waterdog (Necturus beyeri) is a species of aquatic salamander in the family Proteidae. It is native to the southeastern United States, where it occurs in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas. This may be a species complex that could be split into different taxa as research indicates. It is closely related to Necturus alabamensis.
General Info
Lifespan
12-15 years
Diet
Gulf coast waterdog's dietary regimen consists primarily of small aquatic invertebrates. It shows a notable preference for worms, crustaceans, and insect larvae, utilizing its sensitive external gills to detect them.
Appearance
Gulf coast waterdog is a moderate-sized aquatic salamander, known for its elongated body, broad head, and four toes on each foot. Its most distinctive feature is its fringed external gills, used for respiration in the water. With smooth, moist skin, gulf coast waterdog's coloration varies between a rich, dark brown to almost black, often lightly speckled with gray or white. There is little apparent sexual dimorphism.
Behavior
Gulf coast waterdog is a predominantly nocturnal species, often hiding in aquatic vegetation during daytime. Notably, it exhibits slow movement unless threatened, then swiftly retreats. It is solitary, interacting with others primarily during mating. Gulf coast waterdog possesses external gills for underwater respiration, indicative of its completely aquatic lifestyle. It is a skilled predator, deploying smart ambush tactics to capture small invertebrates and other food sources.
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Amphibians Order
Salamanders Family
Mudpuppies and olms Genus
Waterdogs Species
Gulf coast waterdog 
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