{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "mudpuppy",
  "name": "Mudpuppy",
  "scientificName": "Necturus maculosus",
  "category": "Amphibian",
  "summary": "The mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus) is a fully aquatic salamander of eastern North American lakes and rivers that keeps external gills for life. Adults reach about 30 cm, eat crayfish and other invertebrates, and are listed Least Concern — though often unfairly blamed by anglers and discarded when hooked.",
  "conservationStatus": "Least Concern",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Amphibia",
    "order": "Urodela",
    "family": "Proteidae",
    "genus": "Necturus"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 0.15,
    "lengthM": 0.3,
    "topSpeedKmh": 2,
    "lifespanYears": 20
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Necturus maculosus"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Carnivore"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Permanent lakes, rivers, and canals"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "Around 20 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity)."
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "About 0.15 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary)."
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Up to roughly 2 km/h when moving at speed."
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Least Concern (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Lakes and rivers of eastern North America from Canada to the Mississippi basin.",
    "continents": [
      "North America"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/mudpuppy/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/mudpuppy/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}