# Mudpuppy (*Necturus maculosus*)

> 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.

- **Category:** Amphibian
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Lakes and rivers of eastern North America from Canada to the Mississippi basin.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/mudpuppy/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Amphibia
- **Order:** Urodela
- **Family:** Proteidae
- **Genus:** Necturus

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Necturus maculosus |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Habitat | Permanent lakes, rivers, and canals |
| Lifespan | Around 20 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity). |
| Weight | About 0.15 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary). |
| Top speed | Up to roughly 2 km/h when moving at speed. |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Forever larval look

Bushy external gills and a paddle tail persist into adulthood (neoteny). Four toes on the hind feet help distinguish them from hellbenders. They rarely leave water.

## Crayfish and aquatic prey

Diet includes crayfish, insect larvae, worms, small fish, and amphibian eggs scavenged on the bottom. Across its range it is tied to permanent lakes, rivers, and canals, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.

## Great Lakes to Mississippi basin

Permanent lakes, rivers, and canals of eastern North America from southern Canada through the Mississippi basin. Across its range it is tied to permanent lakes, rivers, and canals, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.

## Misunderstood and Least Concern

Still widespread, but siltation, chemical pollution, and wanton killing by fishers reduce local stocks. They are harmless to game-fish populations at natural densities.

## Frequently asked questions

### Do mudpuppies ever lose their gills?

No — they retain external gills throughout life as permanently aquatic adults.

### Are mudpuppies the same as hellbenders?

No — hellbenders are larger Cryptobranchus without bushy external gills as adults; mudpuppies are Necturus.

### Do mudpuppies bark?

The name is folk etymology; they do not bark like dogs.

### What do mudpuppies eat?

Crayfish, aquatic insects, worms, and occasional small fish.

### Where do mudpuppies live?

Lakes and rivers of eastern North America from Canada to the Mississippi basin.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/mudpuppy/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.