Common Mudpuppy
(Necturus maculosus)
The Mudpuppy is a large aquatic salamander measuring 8 - 17 inches. They are usually gray to brown with dark blue spots on their back with a gray belly with dark spots. They have feather-like maroon gills and a flattened tail. Mudpuppies found in deeper colder water tend to have smaller gills then those specimens found in shallower and warmer water.
Eggs are generally laid anytime between April and June. The 30 - 200 eggs is usually attached to the bottom of a stone or log. and hatch in 5 - 9 weeks
The Mudpuppy can be found in a variety of aquatic habitats from shallow, muddy pools to streams, rivers, ponds to deep lakes. Mudpuppies have been found as deep as 90 feet in Lake Michigan.
Mudpuppies are primarily nocturnal and feed on small fish, insects, worms and crayfish.