Neuse River Waterdog

Overview

The Neuse River Waterdog, also called Carolina Mudpuppy, is one of three species of mudpuppy occurring in the state. The Common Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus), the largest and actually the least common of the three in the state (though widespread and much more common farther north), occurs only in a few river systems in the Mountains. The Dwarf Mudpuppy (N. punctatus), the smallest of the three, is widely distributed throughout the Coastal Plain.

Neuse River Waterdogs have somewhat stocky, cylindrical bodies and rather flattened, elongate heads with squared-off noses. The dorsal coloration is a light rusty brownish, with the belly being a paler brown or grayish. There are conspicuous roundish, dark brown or blackish spots on both the dorsal and ventral surfaces, and a dark line through the eye. The skin is smooth and slimy. The limbs are rather small, and the front and hind feet have four toes each (unlike most salamanders, which have five toes on each hind foot). The laterally compressed tail is finned dorsally and ventrally. Three dark red, feathery gills project from either side of the head. The sexes are similar in appearance, and adults can be distinguished externally only by the shape and structure of the cloacal area.

The Neuse River Waterdog is found only in North Carolina. Neuse River Waterdogs inhabit rivers and larger streams, where they prefer leaf beds in quiet waters. They are carnivorous, foraging along the bottom for invertebrates, small vertebrates or carrion. Much activity apparently takes place at night. They are most active during winter and are difficult to find during the summer months, when they typically burrow in deep leaf beds. Larvae and juveniles are often collected by seining or dip netting in leaf beds. Adults readily enter minnow traps baited with chicken livers, shrimp, crushed crayfish or similar bait. Like many other amphibians, Waterdogs produce skin secretions that are probably distasteful to some potential predators. Few records of predation are available, but they are almost certainly preyed upon by various fishes.

Learn more by reading the Neuse River Waterdog species profile.

Regulations

The Neuse River Waterdog is classified as a nongame species with no open season. It is state-listed as a species of special concern. Though still fairly common in some of the more pristine sections of the Neuse and Tar drainages, the Neuse River Waterdog has suffered serious declines in some areas, particularly in the Neuse River around Raleigh. Because of its limited range and sensitivity to pollution and habitat alteration, the Neuse River Waterdog was listed as a species of special concern by the state in 1990. Specimens may not be legally killed, collected or possessed without a special permit from the Wildlife Commission. The salamander also is a Species of Greatest Conservation Need in the N.C. Wildlife Action Plan.

Have a Wildlife Problem?

There are no reported problems with this species.

Management