Hobbies And Interests
Physical Characteristics
Mudpuppies can grow longer than 16 inches, but on average range at 11 inches. They have a broad flat head, small eyes, prominent snout and large mouth. Their skin is smooth and slimy, and their color varies from dark brown to black with spotted and striped markings. Their stocky bodies have flattened tails and short limbs with four toes on each foot. External bushy maroon gills line each side of their neck. Male and females are similar in appearance and are distinguished by their cloacae. The male cloaca possesses two external papillae that points backward and appears swollen during mating season. Female cloaca are slits commonly marked with light coloring.
Physiology
Mudpuppies use their flattened tails to swim through the water in a fish-like motion. The external gills are constantly in motion and used to take in oxygen. Their body temperature changes with the surrounding environment, and sense organs in their skin are sensitive to surrounding movement and pressure changes. This helps them avoid predators. They use their smell to locate prey and small eyes to perceive light. They have squeaky barking vocals used during mating season.
Habitat and Feeding Habits
Mudpuppies are completely aquatic and live their entire life in water. They live primarily in shallow water but will migrate to deeper water during the winter season. They are nocturnal but can be active during the day in muddy or dark water. Mudpuppies spend their days hiding under rocks, logs, vegetation and debris and emerge at night in search of food. They are opportunistic predators and prey on any small aquatic animals, insects, larvae and eggs they can find. These amphibians are solitary animals except during mating season.
Reproduction
Mating occurs annually between fall and winter. Males initiate fertilization by performing a courtship dance as they release gel-encased sperm capsules. Females pick the capsules in their cloaca and store them until spring. The females dig a nest under rocks, logs or debris and lay 18 to 180 eggs. They lay a daily single layer of 12 per day and stay with the nest during the one- to two-month incubation period, which varies depending on the water temperature.
Development
The newly hatched mudpuppies are 1 inch in length, and grow at a rate of 2 inches per year. They reach sexual maturity between 4 to 6 years and reach a length of 8 inches. Mudpuppies keep their red external gills from birth and never lose their tails. They grow legs but never develop lungs or nostrils. Therefore, they can't survive on land.