Mudpuppy

Necturus maculosus

This species and the Spadefoot Toad are the two amphibian species I have yet to come across in the wild in Connecticut.  I took the photos on this page in July 2004 along a canal in Massachusetts.  According to Michael Klemen's Amphibians and Reptiles of CT and Adjacent Regions, mudpuppies are only to be found in a few spots along the upper CT River. 

He questions their status as native to the region as there have been reports of releases by schools along this watercourse.

Regardless of how they got here, they are among our herpetofauna and with a possible length of up to 17",  would be our largest. 

Mudpuppies are aquatic and active year round.  The gills on the sides of the neck are large, red and feathery.  They have a heavy-bodied primordial look to them.

Apparently, they are attracted to light - something I am going to try one of these days.  They also end up on the hooks of fishermen.

Young pup in the mud.

Young mudpuppy surfacing.