Common mudpuppy
A species of Waterdogs, Also known as Waterdog Scientific name : Necturus maculosus Genus : Waterdogs
Common mudpuppy, A species of Waterdogs
Also known as:
Waterdog
Scientific name: Necturus maculosus
Genus: Waterdogs
Content
Description People often ask General Info
Description
The common mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) is a species of salamander in the genus Necturus. They live an entirely aquatic lifestyle in the eastern part of North America in lakes, rivers, and ponds. They go through paedomorphosis and retain their external gills, thus resembling axolotls. Because skin and lung respiration alone is not sufficient for gas exchange, mudpuppies must rely on external gills as their primary means of gas exchange. They are usually a rusty brown color..
People often ask
General Info
Lifespan
15-25 years
Diet
Common mudpuppy's primary dietary component is small aquatic invertebrates. It actively seeks out organisms such as crayfish, segmented worms, and snails. The species also occasionally consumes aquatic insects and fish as secondary food sources.
Appearance
Common mudpuppy is a medium-sized aquatic salamander with a length of about 20 to 28 cm. It has a flat-torso, a broad head, and a paddle-like tail to aid in swimming. Its skin is smooth and covered in numerous small papillae, making it look and feel velvety. Prominent features include four legs with four toes each and external gills behind the head. It shows a dark-brown or black coloration, spotted with lighter yellowish-tan markings. There is no significant difference in appearance across age, gender, or subspecies.
Behavior
Common mudpuppy are nocturnal predators, primarily consuming small invertebrates and fish in their freshwater habitats. Known for their unique respiratory versatility, they primarily breathe using gills, but also have functional lungs for air-respiration. Typically solitary, they exhibit aggressive territoriality during breeding season, though without permanent territory establishment. Their aquatic lifestyle involves slow movement aided by short limbs and lateral line system.
Population
Stable
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Amphibians Order
Salamanders Family
Mudpuppies and olms Genus
Waterdogs Species
Common mudpuppy 
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