06 February 2009


8th grader, Brenna H. brought in quite the find today...a 30cm (12") monster salamander. I had an idea what it was but wanted to contact the professionals. Here is what Dr. Peter Ducey from SUNY Cortland had to say:

Yes, you are correct that this is an adult mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus), a fully aquatic salamander found in many of the large lakes and river systems in this part of the country. They have been reported to be active all year, including under the ice, and are sometimes caught by people while fishing.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

are they threatened and/or endangered?

Anonymous said...

I saw a tiger salamander once.
they are endangered

Anonymous said...

we should put a visitor locations icon on the side of our blog too

Chad DeVoe said...

No, they're pretty common. Mr. Filzen said they are found quite frequently in Owasco Lake.

Anonymous said...

I dont want to swim in that lake again.

they are scarey

Anonymous said...

thats cool she lives two doors down from me wonder if she found it in the creek out back. was it alive?

Chad DeVoe said...

Becca,

I think she found it while she was ice fishing...Owasco Lake maybe? I can't remember what she said.

Anonymous said...

Mr.DeVoe,
Owasco lake is where we found it. We were ice fishing and we found it on the ice.
Brenna Hahne

Anonymous said...

oh my god that looks so weird. Do they all look like that?

Chad DeVoe said...

From what I've read this one was fairly long...at 1 foot. I think they're usually shorter.

Barb said...

Okay. No role model here. I really have no desire to know what I'm sharing my swimming space with. I'll let the scientists keep track, keep it safe... and then I want the snakes, salamanders and anything else creepy to stay out of my sight.
Immaturely, Ms. B.

Anonymous said...

god that looks so gross!!!!!!!!!!!!!
and huge!!!!!!!!!!!