Canada's largest Salamander; the Mudpuppy
In Ontario it is fair to say that the most unique species of Salamander found here is the Mudpuppy (Necturus maculosus).
Unlike any other salamanders found in the province, the Mudpuppy is fully aquatic, has external gills throughout all life stages and is most active in the winter months when the water it is in is close to freezing temperatures. And if that isn't enough to make it unique from our other salamander species then perhaps the fact that it is able to grow to approximately double the size of our next biggest salamander is!
Recently, on November 25th to 27th , I had the great pleasure of going with friends to a well known location in Ontario to finally see a Mudpuppy for the first time. We ended up seeing 12 Mudpuppies in total, 8 the first night and 4 on the second. Although I will only be talking about the first night in this post as 3 of the 4 Mudpuppies on the second night swam away before I could photograph them. Also, because this is a not at risk species I am able to say that the location was at Oxford Mills where Fred Scheuler has been running "Mudpuppy Night" for many years to collect data and educate the public about these often never seen salamanders.
Upon arrival at 12:30am on Saturday the group of us hopped into the creek right away and started searching for our slippery friends. It didn't take long until we found 8 Mudpuppies swimming and/or crawling around on the bottom of the creek.
We netted a few of the individuals seen and put them into a clear bucket to get a better look at them and take a few pictures. It was especially interesting to see their external gills (The only Salamander in Ontario with external gills in adulthood) up close since you aren't able to see them through the water very well.
And one individual we netted was in the middle of eating a small green frog! However, we did not put that one in the bucket. I took a quick picture of him in the net in the creek and we set him on his way to finish the meal.
As you can see from the the picture of the three salamanders in the bucket, we found a variety of different sized 'puppies. The largest individual reached about 25 or 26cm and since he was large he was easiest to photograph. So we let the other ones go after a couple pictures and took some more of the big salamander alone.
Once in the bucket I was able to capture a few better pictures but with only having flashlights for lighting and with the reflection of the container and water most of the pictures did not prove to be as clear and crisp as I had hoped.
Once pictures were taken, it was of course time to let the beautiful salamander go back to his cold, aquatic home in the creek. But not before getting a picture of myself holding it of course (quickly to ensure no negative health effects to the animal).
And then the release.
Aside from the Mudpuppies seen on the trip we were also able to observe a Northern Leopard Frog under a rock at the bottom of the creek that was hibernating for the winter, an American Mink swimming upstream looking for clams, and several pike which 2 of the guys (Kyle and Sterling) were able to catch in their nets.
All around, this was an excellent trip to take and I would recommend it to any herp enthusiast in the area.
Unlike any other salamanders found in the province, the Mudpuppy is fully aquatic, has external gills throughout all life stages and is most active in the winter months when the water it is in is close to freezing temperatures. And if that isn't enough to make it unique from our other salamander species then perhaps the fact that it is able to grow to approximately double the size of our next biggest salamander is!
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| Mudpuppies - Oxford Mills |
Recently, on November 25th to 27th , I had the great pleasure of going with friends to a well known location in Ontario to finally see a Mudpuppy for the first time. We ended up seeing 12 Mudpuppies in total, 8 the first night and 4 on the second. Although I will only be talking about the first night in this post as 3 of the 4 Mudpuppies on the second night swam away before I could photograph them. Also, because this is a not at risk species I am able to say that the location was at Oxford Mills where Fred Scheuler has been running "Mudpuppy Night" for many years to collect data and educate the public about these often never seen salamanders.
Upon arrival at 12:30am on Saturday the group of us hopped into the creek right away and started searching for our slippery friends. It didn't take long until we found 8 Mudpuppies swimming and/or crawling around on the bottom of the creek.
 |
| Mudpuppy - Oxford Mills |
 |
| Mudpuppy - Oxford Mills |
We netted a few of the individuals seen and put them into a clear bucket to get a better look at them and take a few pictures. It was especially interesting to see their external gills (The only Salamander in Ontario with external gills in adulthood) up close since you aren't able to see them through the water very well.
 |
| 2 Mudpuppies being netted out of the water - Oxford Mills |
 |
| Mudpuppy - Oxford Mills |
 |
| Mudpuppy - Oxford Mills |
And one individual we netted was in the middle of eating a small green frog! However, we did not put that one in the bucket. I took a quick picture of him in the net in the creek and we set him on his way to finish the meal.
 |
| Mudpuppy eating a Green Frog - Oxford Mills |
 |
| Mudpuppy eating a Green Frog - Oxford Mills |
As you can see from the the picture of the three salamanders in the bucket, we found a variety of different sized 'puppies. The largest individual reached about 25 or 26cm and since he was large he was easiest to photograph. So we let the other ones go after a couple pictures and took some more of the big salamander alone.
Once in the bucket I was able to capture a few better pictures but with only having flashlights for lighting and with the reflection of the container and water most of the pictures did not prove to be as clear and crisp as I had hoped.
 |
| Me taking pictures of the large Mudpuppy |
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| Mudpuppy - Oxford Mills |
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| Mudpuppy - Oxford Mills |
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| Mudpuppy - Oxford Mills |
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| Mudpuppy - Oxford Mills |
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| Mudpuppy - Oxford Mills |
Once pictures were taken, it was of course time to let the beautiful salamander go back to his cold, aquatic home in the creek. But not before getting a picture of myself holding it of course (quickly to ensure no negative health effects to the animal).
 |
| Holding a Mudpuppy - Oxford Mills |
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| Holding a Mudpuppy - Oxford Mills |
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| Mudpuppy - Oxford Mills |
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| Mudpuppy - Oxford Mills |
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| Mudpuppy - Oxford Mills |
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| Mudpuppy - Oxford Mills |
Aside from the Mudpuppies seen on the trip we were also able to observe a Northern Leopard Frog under a rock at the bottom of the creek that was hibernating for the winter, an American Mink swimming upstream looking for clams, and several pike which 2 of the guys (Kyle and Sterling) were able to catch in their nets.
 |
| Holding a Pike that Sterling caught in his fish net - Oxford Mills |
All around, this was an excellent trip to take and I would recommend it to any herp enthusiast in the area.
- Ryan Wolfe
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