Mudpuppy

Necturus maculosus

Mudpuppy

MUDP

Status

The Mudpuppy is common throughout most of its range.

Description

This is the largest of the mudpuppies (20–48.6 cm). As do all mudpuppies, the Common Mudpuppy has four toes on the hindfeet and permanent gills. This is a brown mudpuppy with few spots. Young of this species are usually striped. Two subspecies are recognized: Common Mudpuppy, N. m. maculosus, and Red River Mudpuppy, N. m. louisianensis.

Distribution

Necturus maculosus ranges from southern Canada south to the Tennessee River Drainage. It is absent from much of Minnesota, western Wisconsin, Kentucky and Tennessee. A disjunct subspecies, N. m. louisianensis, occurs in Arkansas and neighboring states.

Habitat

This mudpuppy is entirely aquatic, inhabiting lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and other permanent bodies of water. Mudpuppies prefer either weedchoked waters or those with abundant shelter in the form of debris, mud, or leaf beds.

Special Requirements

Unpolluted, clean water with some form of cover (i.e. weeds, debris) is required by this species.

Breeding Habits

Little is known about breeding in the southern portion of its range, but in the northern portion of its range 60–80 eggs are laid in June on the underside of rocks in the water (Martof and others 1980). Eggs hatch in midsummer.

Food Habits

The Mudpuppy is an opportunistic feeder, consuming most aquatic animals. Food includes fish, crayfish, aquatic insects, mollusks and earthworms.

Management Suggestions

Protection of aquatic habitats from siltation and pollution is necessary to protect this species. If streams and ponds are managed to protect fish populations, Necturus will also benefit.

Additional References

Martof and others 1980; Mount 1975.